Wrestler Narsingh admitted that “the doping was done” before the anti-doping disciplinary panel. But he added, “it was done unintentionally and without my knowledge. Hence I should be given the benefit of the doubt.”
During the hearing, Narsingh’s lawyers led by Vidhusphat Singhania claimed sabotage, telling the panel that his client was not responsible for the positive dope test.
During the hearing, Narsingh’s team of a lawyer also claimed that the alleged of sabotage with his drinks happened either on June 23 or June 24. “While he was exercising or practicing, he had left his water bottle on the mat and as it was left unattended, probably somebody has put some substance in it and that is how he has tested positive,” they told the hearing panel, a source privy to the proceedings said.
“They also cited the June 5 incident but did not stress on it. Their stress was on those two dates on which they claimed the contamination happened,” he added.
Another moment was also mentioned when Narsingh’s police complaint said his friend witnessed another 17-year-old wrestler adding something to his food at the SAI’s Sonepat centre.
But Narsingh said he was unaware of the June 5 incident till he returned from a training stint on Bulgaria on June 22.
“He said he was only told about the incident after coming back from Bulgaria’s training stint,” the source said.
The 17-year old’s name also registered on the FIR.
Narsingh also alleged in the hearing that the head of the Sonepat centre, Radhica Sreeman, was complicit in the sabotage attempt.
The Olympic is just 10n days away, so at the moment Narsingh’s chance to fly for Rio looks unlikely as the legal battle will take some time. His case has indicated that someone powerful is involved in this case.