Indian Wrestler Bajrang Punia once again came into the limelight this time as he was handed suspension from any competition in upcoming events by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The suspension came from his failure to submit the urine sample in the trials held at Sonipat on March 10.

This suspension costs Punia any further participation in any upcoming events or Wrestling competitions until the suspension is lifted by the NADA.

The Olympic bronze medallist took to social media to give his version of the story. Punia said he never refused to give the sample when the officer came to collect the sample in March during which he asked the officials to give an explanation regarding the use of expired kits which they brought to take my sample. Punia said he was ready to give his sample after they answered his question.

NADA has asked to send his reply by Tuesday to avoid any further disciplinary action. The expired kits concern is from last year in December when Bajrang posted a video in which he stated that the kits being used to take the sample were beyond expiry. Bajrang's lawyer Vidhushpat Singhania said, "Need to access the case file and we'll be filing a reply to NADA soon"

On his suspension, WFI President Sanjay Singh expressed NADA didn't update them about the suspension. In a meeting with DG on April 25 this matter was not shared. Sanjay said he called NADA officials on Sunday morning and had no answers to his questions hence decided to write to NADA and WADA about the matter.  "If the wrestler fails to come out clean with his reply he automatically will be out of the race for the qualification of the French Olympics," Sanjay added. Till now India has not won a Paris Olympic quota in the men's category freestyle 65kg weight. Only Sujeet Kalkal managed to earn one in the Istanbul last qualifier. The World Cup qualifier starts from May 9 in Turkey and this will be the last chance for wrestlers to place themselves for the upcoming summer Olympics.

Punia came to limelight when he was one of the Ieading members of the protest against former president of the Indian Wrestling Federation and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who has been accused of sexual harassment by female wrestlers. With the case against him, Bhushan has been denied a ticket by his party for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.