Bajrang Punia, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal-winning wrestler, has been handed a four-year suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after he refused to provide a sample for a doping test during the national team selection trials on March 10. This ruling follows an earlier suspension imposed by NADA on April 23 for the same offence and a subsequent suspension by the World Wrestling Federation (UWW), which governs international wrestling.
As a result of this suspension, Bajrang Punia will not be allowed to participate in competitive wrestling nor pursue any coaching opportunities abroad. His ban, which affects his eligibility to compete, started from the notification date, April 23, 2024, and will last for four years. However, the period from May 31 to June 21, 2024, when his provisional suspension was lifted, will not be counted toward his total ban duration.
The controversy surrounding Bajrang Punia ’s suspension began when he contested the initial provisional ban imposed by NADA. After filing a challenge, the Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) temporarily lifted the suspension on May 31. However, on June 23, NADA formally notified him of the doping charges. In response to the charges, Bajrang Punia , who had also joined the Congress party and assumed leadership of the All India Kisan Congress, contested the allegations again on July 11. Legal hearings took place in September and October, with the ADDP ultimately concluding that Bajrang Punia was responsible for violating doping rules under Article 10.3.1, which resulted in his four-year ban.
Bajrang Punia , however, continues to assert that he was treated unfairly due to his involvement in protests against the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. He clarified that he never outright refused to provide a sample but sought clarification from NADA regarding concerns about expired testing kits used in December 2023. According to Bajrang Punia , the lack of acknowledgment from NADA in past incidents eroded his trust in the organization, leading to his reluctance to comply with the test.
On the other hand, NADA defended its actions, maintaining that Bajrang Punia ‘s refusal to cooperate was intentional and deliberate. The agency affirmed that the doping control officer had properly explained the requirement to provide a sample, and Bajrang Punia ’s refusal violated the Anti-Doping Rules 2021. Despite the suspension, Bajrang Punia has vowed to continue his fight for justice.
