Bajrang Punia's suspension revoked by anti-doping panel until formal charges framed

The National Anti-Doping Agency’s Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) have revoked the provisional suspension imposed on wrestler Bajrang Punia until National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) issues a Notice of Charge. Punia was found guilty of not providing his sample for dope test after the selection trials in March.

NADA had suspended Tokyo Games bronze medallist Punia on 23 April and the world governing body (UWW) took similar action as a result.

Trials to pick the men’s team for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek were held in Sonepat on 10 March and Punia had walked off the venue without providing his urine sample after losing a bout. He opted against competing in the third-fourth place bout.

Punia had challenged the provisional suspension through his lawyers and reiterated in his reply to ADDP that he never refused to provide a sample but wanted to know why NADA chose not to reply to his earlier query on action taken by the agency for sending expired kits to take his sample in December last year.

”The hearing panel is of the opinion that at this stage when Notice of Charge is yet to be issued to the Athlete and without going into the merits of the submission/explanations/justifications given by the Athlete for refusing to give the sample and counter the submission of Ld. Counsel appearing for the NADA, the provisional suspension of the Athlete is revoked till NADA decides to issue Notice of Charge formally charging the athlete for violation of Anti-doping rules, 2021,” the ADDP order said.

It remains unclear at the moment if NADA pursues the matter further and decides to issue Notice of Charge to Punia.

If it is not issued, the matter will be closed and if it is issued, a final hearing will be conducted.

”The Hearing Panel is of the opinion that that it is premature to go into the merits and demerits of the submission made by both the parties as Notice of Charge specifying the charges against the Athlete are yet to be issued by the NADA.

”Therefore, at this stage, when only notification is issued, the Panel cannot embark upon the enquiry regarding the allegations thereby examining the issues touching upon the merits of the case and making the procedure prescribed under Article 8 of the Anti-Doping Rules, 2021, as redundant.”

Punia’s lawyer Vidushpat Singhania told news agency PTI that his client is now free to compete.

”This is an interim order but Bajrang is free to compete,” Singhania said.

”Let’s see if Notice of Charge is issued. Prima facie the panel feels that Bajrang has an explanation for his refusal,” he added.