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Key Points

The National Anti-Doping Agency has imposed significant suspensions on multiple Indian athletes across various sports disciplines. Distance runners Hemraj Gurjar and Anjali Kumari headline the list of athletes facing penalties for failed dope tests. The suspensions range from two to six years, reflecting the severity of doping violations in competitive sports. These actions underscore NADA's commitment to maintaining fair play and sporting integrity in Indian athletics.

Key Points: NADA Bans Hemraj Gurjar Anjali Kumari for Doping Violations

  • Hemraj Gurjar banned 4 years for prohibited substance Darbepoetin
  • Anjali Kumari receives 6-year suspension from competitive sports
  • Multiple athletes across disciplines face NADA penalties
  • Doping violations impact national sporting reputation
2 min read

NADA panel bans distance runners Hemraj, Anjali for failed dope tests

Indian athletes face lengthy suspensions after failing dope tests, including distance runners and wrestlers penalized by National Anti-Doping Agency

"Athletes must maintain integrity and follow strict anti-doping regulations - NADA Official"

New Delhi, May 3

Long-distance runners Hemraj Gurjar and Anjali Kumari along with wrestler Divya Kakran, and boxer Thokchom Yaisana Chanu have also been penalised with lengthy suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) of India.

Gurjar has been suspended for four years after the prohibited substance Darbepoetin (DEPO) was found in his sample while Anjali Kumari has been banned for six years.

Kabaddi player Manish Gulia and wrestler Omkar Shankar Chougale were also handed four-year suspensions for failing dope tests. Powerlifter Amita Devi Kotwol and a minor track and field athlete were handed six-year bans, though the details are not known. The decisions in their respective cases were taken on March 31, 2025, according to information provided by NADA.

All these cases along with swimmer Vishal Grewal and 19-year-old athlete Mishthi Kajla have been handed punishments by NADA's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel in March and April after they failed dope tests last year and were handed provisional suspension. In March and April 2025, their suspensions were confirmed after the hearing by the NADA panel.

The 25-year-old Gujar, who had won a 5000m bronze in the 2023 National Inter-State Championships and gold in the National Cross Country Championships in 2023 and 2024, has been banned for four years. Gujar also represented India in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships last year. Gurjar's suspension came into effect on April 20, the day the verdict was delivered by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel.

Vishal Grewal has been suspended for four years from December 8, 2023, whereas Mishthi Kajla, who won a bronze in the 2024 Federation Cup U20 Championships, will serve a two-year ineligibility from May 5, 2024, though the decision on her appeal was taken on April 15, 2025.

Anjali's six-year ban period begins on March 31, whereas woman pugilist Thokchom Yaisana Chanu will be out for four years from April 10, 2024. The decision on her appeal was reached on April 20, 2025.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Very disappointing to see young athletes taking shortcuts. These bans are necessary to maintain the integrity of Indian sports. Hope this serves as a lesson for others. 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
Six years is a very harsh punishment for Anjali Kumari! At her age, this could end her career permanently. NADA should consider rehabilitation programs along with bans.
S
Sanjay T.
This is why we don't win enough medals internationally. Instead of proper training, some athletes look for quick fixes. Shameful! 😡
A
Ananya R.
I wonder if all these athletes were properly educated about banned substances? NADA should conduct mandatory workshops at grassroots level to prevent such cases.
V
Vikram J.
Hemraj Gurjar had so much potential! Why would he risk everything like this? Such a waste of talent. Hope he comes back clean after his ban period.
N
Neha P.
The pressure to perform must be tremendous, but that's no excuse. Clean sports should be non-negotiable. Kudos to NADA for taking strict action 👏
K
Karan S.
I suspect many more athletes are doping but not getting caught. NADA needs to increase random testing frequency across all sports disciplines.

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