On September 11, the Delhi High Court took a significant step in the ongoing legal battle involving Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia. The court has sought the stance of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) regarding Punia's petition challenging his recent suspension. This development comes just ahead of the Senior World Wrestling Championships, scheduled to take place in Albania in October.

Justice Sanjeev Narula issued a notice to NADA, responding to a plea filed by Punia through his lawyer, Vidushpat Singhania. The wrestler is seeking relief from the suspension imposed by NADA, which has cast a shadow over his participation in the upcoming World Championships. Senior counsel Rajiv Dutta, representing Punia, argued for interim relief, highlighting the urgency of the matter given the imminent championship.

In his arguments, Dutta criticized the timing of the suspension, suggesting it was an instance of "hounding" and emphasized the critical nature of the upcoming tournament for Punia. The court, however, noted that no formal application for interim relief had been filed, and questioned Punia's refusal to submit a sample for testing. Dutta countered by pointing out alleged issues with the testing kit, and requested further clarification from the authorities.

The case has garnered attention due to its timing and the implications for Punia's career. On June 21, NADA had suspended Punia for a second time and issued a formal "notice of charge". This suspension rendered him ineligible to train and participate in competitions. The move came shortly after an Anti-Disciplinary Doping (ADDP) panel had lifted an earlier suspension due to procedural lapses by NADA.

The controversy traces back to April 23, when NADA first suspended Punia for refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10. This suspension was accompanied by a global suspension from the sport’s governing body, United Wrestling World (UWW). Punia's petition argues that NADA's actions are in violation of the established testing guidelines and protocols. He claims that the agency's conduct infringes on his fundamental rights to practice his profession and earn a livelihood, and that the ongoing suspension could effectively force him into early retirement.

NADA has maintained that a disciplinary panel is reviewing the matter and denied that Punia is being specifically targeted. The agency's counsel argued that Punia should present his grievances before the disciplinary panel. The court has scheduled further hearings for October, aligning with the timeline of the World Wrestling Championships.

Key Points of the Case:

Legal Challenge: Bajrang Punia’s petition is challenging his suspension imposed by NADA, arguing procedural errors and violations of his rights.

Upcoming Championships: The suspension could impact Punia's participation in the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Albania, intensifying the urgency of the case.

NADA’s Position: NADA defends its actions, stating that Punia is not being unfairly targeted and that a disciplinary panel is investigating the matter.

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