Bajrang's provisional suspension revoked

IN a fresh twist, Bajrang Punia's provisional suspension for allegedly refusing to submit a urine sample during the Olympic wrestling trials organised by the now-defunct ad hoc committee was revoked by the National Anti-Doping Agency's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel.

- INDRANEEL DAS

What seems intriguing is that the NADA is yet to serve formal Notice of Charge. In an order dated 31/05/2024, the ADDP has asked NADA to revoke the provisional suspension until formal Notice is issued.

The hearing panel further explained that "without going into the merit of the submission/explanations/justifications given by the athlete for refusing to give sample and the counter submissions of the counsel appearing for NADA, the provisional suspension of the athlete is revoked till NADA decides to issue Notice of Charge formally charging the athlete for violation of AntiDoping Rules, 2021." The order further said that if "the NADA decided to issue Notice of Charge to the athlete, then the matter be expeditiously listed before the hearing panel for final hearing." It needs to be seen what NADA does next.