The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has imposed a four-year suspension on Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia for failing to provide a urine sample during selection trials on March 10, 2024.

The suspension, effective from April 23, 2024, comes after the wrestler was initially handed a provisional ban, which was briefly revoked in May before NADA issued a notice of charge on June 23. The disciplinary hearings, conducted in September and October, concluded with the Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) ruling that Punia deliberately refused to comply with doping protocols.

“The Panel holds that the Athlete is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and liable for ineligibility for a period of four years,” the ADDP stated.

The panel further clarified that the period of provisional suspension between May 31 and June 21, 2024, when Punia’s ban was briefly lifted, would not count towards the total ineligibility period.

Allegations of Prejudice and Expired Kits

Punia, who joined the Congress Party earlier this year and was appointed head of the All India Kisan Congress, has consistently maintained his innocence, alleging unfair treatment. He argued that his refusal to provide a sample was not deliberate but a stance against NADA’s alleged negligence, including the use of expired kits in December 2023.

“I was always willing to provide my sample but sought clarity from NADA regarding the expired kits,” Punia stated in his written defense, citing prior incidents that he claimed eroded his trust in the agency.

However, NADA dismissed his arguments, asserting that the athlete’s actions displayed “utter disregard” for his responsibilities under the Anti-Doping Rules of 2021.

This suspension effectively bars Punia from participating in competitive wrestling until 2028, dashing his hopes of competing in future international events or pursuing coaching opportunities abroad during this period.

Punia’s suspension also highlights ongoing tensions within Indian wrestling, with the athlete alleging bias linked to his vocal protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh earlier this year.