Narsingh fails second doping test, 2 booked on his complaint

New Delhi, July 27

Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav tested positive for banned drugs for the second time on Wednesday, dimming hopes that he would represent India in the Rio Olympics 2016.

Yadav undertook a second test on July 5.

"It's the same substance that was found in the first test. It was unlikely that it would go out of the system," a Wrestling Federation of Indian source said, referring to the banned anabolic steroid methandienone.

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‘Complaint’

Police have booked junior wrestler Jitesh for trying to poison Yadav (under Section 328 of the Indian Penal Code) and trying to cause grievous hurt, said DIG HS Doon said at a press briefing on Wednesday evening after Yadav accused two fellow wrestlers for having spiked his food.

Yadav has also demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the incident in his FIR lodged at Sonepat Police Station.

“I have always maintained that there has been a conspiracy against me. If I am cleared of the charges, I will go to Rio. I have identified the boy who was seen contaminating my food. I have given a detailed complaint to the police,” Narsingh told reporters after he lodged his complaint, although he did not name the suspects.

“I feel even officials are involved because I am not being provided the CCTV footage.”

WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh however named the two suspects.

“We suspect Jitesh, who fights in the 75kg category, and Sumit, both of them live in Chhatarsaal. And one of them has admitted to spiking Narsingh’s food. I can’t say on the conspiracy and can’t say whether they did this on their own or on someone’s asking. We cannot investigate this but we support Narsingh’s demand for a CBI inquiry,” he said.

The central government, however, chose to follow a more cautious line: Sports Minister Vijay Goel said the establishment would follow international rules to decide if Yadav would be allowed to participate in the Games. 

“If nothing is found in the food supplements then it would be considered a positive dope test. He was told not to train in Sonepat and all Olympic-bound athletes were given the option of customised training,” Goel said earlier in the day. “This controversy should end. National Anti-Doping Agency is affiliated to World Anti-Doping Agency. We can’t decide alone, we are trying to ensure that none of our athletes test positive for dope in Rio. NADA had been educating athletes about doping, even after this if something has happened than law will take its own course. The conspiracy angle will be investigated.”

‘Hearing’

In a three-hour hearing held by the National Anti Doping Agency, Yadav’s lawyers called the wrestler a victim of circumstances.  

The agency will announce its verdict on Thursday.

‘Protest’

Hundreds participated in a protest in Ajgara in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi — Yadav’s village — to demand CBI investigations into the incident.

The wrestler’s family led the protest. His father Pancham Yadav and mother Bhoolna Devi have accused Olympian Sushil Kumar and his coach Satpal Singh of implicating their son.

The wrestler was suspended provisionally after results of his first test on July 25 showed the banned anabolic steroid methandienone in his system.

The first test was conducted in June.

Yadav has been claiming his food supplements and meals were tampered with, but some recent tests of some samples proved they were clean.

Yadav had been involved in a legal tussle with Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar over who would represent India in the 74kg category in the Olympics. 

The WFI also hinted at possible sabotage on Tuesday, although it named Parveen Rana has Yadav’s replacement, a move that has been approved by United World Wrestling.  — Agencies