New Delhi: The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has placed Olympic bronze winner Bajrang Punia on provisional suspension for neglecting to provide a urine sample during the Sonipat trials on March 10, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
It has been learnt that Punia will be ineligible to participate in any tournaments or trials until his suspension is lifted.
"With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, Bajrang Punia has been immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter," read an official release from NADA dated April 23, the New Indian Express reported.
Punia, along with a number of other elite wrestlers, such as Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh, was at the forefront of accusations of sexual harassment made against former BJP MP and president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The notice of suspension was sent not to the federation recognised by United World Wrestling (UWW), but to the now-defunct ad hoc committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
A few months before, Punia had uploaded a video purporting to have expired dope-collecting equipment and rejected the directive of the drug control officer, alleging that NADA officials had not yet addressed his concerns.
The dope-collecting officer's report states that he was told that his refusal would result in a warning for violating anti-doping regulations, but he nevertheless left.
"Punia, surrounded by his supporters, continuously repeated his statement and immediately left the venue refusing to give a dope sample," the DCO stated in his report.
Punia was asked to provide a written explanation by May 7th for his denial of providing a urine sample and supporting documents.
"If you do accept the consequences, the case will be resolved without further disciplinary proceedings, subject to the right of appeal. If you disagree, the matter will be referred for adjudication to the anti-doping disciplinary panel," the letter stated.
Punia clarified in a statement published on X (formerly Twitter) that he did not decline to give his sample to NADA representatives. Rather, he said that an expired testing kit was brought by the officials. He went on to say that he would address the situation via his lawyer.
"I want to clarify the news about me being asked to take a dope test!!! I never refused to give my sample to NADA officials, I requested them to first answer me as to what action they took on the expired kit they brought to take my sample and then take my dope test. My lawyer Vidush Singhania will reply to this letter in time, " Puni said.
With inputs from agencies