SAI, NADA junior officials in Narsingh sabotage: Singh

Narsingh was debarred from representing India at the Rio Games in 74kg freestyle wrestling event after he was slapped with a four-year ban by Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) for flunking a dope test following WADA’s challenge to the clean chit given to him by National Anti-Doping Agency.

WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, “We got to know some things there (at Rio de Janeiro) during the CAS hearing. When world body (WADA) had asked NADA why dope tests were conducted on Narsingh in such short span of time, NADA had revealed that on July 4, a written complaint was sent to them by a junior SAI Sonepat official (Ramesh) that some drug abuse was going on in the centre.

“On the basis of that complain, the dope tests were conducted again. The people who had spiked his food/drinks were not sure whether it was done properly (on June 23 & 24) before the first test on June 25, so they did it again before sending the complain letter to NADA team on July 4 for conducting another test,” Singh told reporters here.

Narsingh’s urine sample taken out-of-competition on June 25 was found to contain metabolites of methandienone and long- term metabolite of methandienone. Another sample taken out-of competition on July 5 was also found to contain long-term metabolites of methandienone. Singh alleged that some junior level officials of NADA were also involved. “The WFI was not told about that complaint letter earlier. Although the letter was supposed to be sent to WFI, it was withheld. If we had that letter with us in Rio, our case would have been stronger,” said Singh. “Even NADA never told us about the letter. I am sure, junior level officials of NADA are also involved,” he added.

Singh reiterated that he would approach the Prime Minister and the Home Ministry and demand for a CBI probe. “I will meet both the Home Ministry and the Prime Minister. It is extremely important to have a CBI inquiry into the matter. And I guarantee that investigations would be carried out. Those who are guilty must be punished. In fact, if Narsingh is found guilty then he should be severely punished. I am again saying that it was a conspiracy,” he insisted.

During the hearing in Rio, CAS had said that Narsingh failed to produce any “real evidence” regarding the sabotage theory he had advanced and the “balance of probabilities” was that he orally took the banned substance intentionally in tablet form on more than one occasion.

But Singh said it was not the main reason for Narsingh being handed a ban. Instead he stressed that 

Narsingh paid for the absence of criminal proceedings in India.

“I was present in the full hearing of CAS. The chemist (expert), who had come there, was of the opinion that Narsingh had taken the substance in tablet form. But that is just her assumption and it was not evidence enough.

“The main reason why Narsingh was slapped with a ban was because of the lack of criminal proceedings done by the (Sonepat) Police,” revealed Singh. “CAS wanted to know what action has been taken against those who are guilty. Had police done their job properly and had arrested the guy (Jithesh), then Narsingh would not have to face the suspension.