Bajrang to file appeal against four-year ban

Bajrang Punia has decided to appeal against his four-year suspension but it is not decided whether he will file it in the anti-doping appeal panel (ADAP) of NADA or in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

Bajrang has been suspended for refusing to give his sample during the national trials held in Sonipat on March 10. While the anti-doping disciplinary panel was hearing the case, Bajrang was formally issued a notice of charge in June this year.

On Wednesday, his lawyer Vidushpat Singhania told The Tribune that they will soon file the appeal against the suspension. “We will file the appeal soon. We are trying to understand whether we need to file the appeal in NADA’s anti-doping appeal panel or in CAS,” Singhania said.

As per the rules, national-level athletes file their appeals against suspension in NADA while international athletes approach CAS. In Bajrang’s case, his lawyers need to ascertain whether the wrestler, who has not competed in an international competition for a while, will be bracketed as a national or an international athlete.

Bajrang, ever since he was served the notice, has claimed foul play as he was involved in the protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment by women wrestlers.

Last year, Bajrang had released a video alleging that a dope collecting officer (DCO) had brought expired kits to collect his sample. After failing to get a clarification from NADA, he then refused to give his sample.

The ADDP went by DCO’s report and issued a maximum suspension of four years under Article 10.3.1 of anti-doping rules.

Despite Bajrang’s plea that raised concerns about how the issue of expired kits was handled, the panel found his act of refusal was intentional and hence was given the maximum punishment of a four-year suspension.