NADA’s appeals’ panel clears Indian athlete Shalu Chaudhary of doping charges, lifts four-year ban
Much to the delight of India’s middle-distance runner, Shalu Chaudhary, the National Anti-Doping Agency’s appeals panel has cleared her of doping charges and has also lifted her four-year ban.
The development comes after the DNA testing stated that Shalu’s urine sample had either been tampered with or contaminated at the time of collection.
For the unversed, Shalu Chaudhary was dealt with a four-year ban after she lost her appeal to NADA’s disciplinary panel. The ban came on the back of an alleged use of two substances, including stimulant and peptide hormones.
As a result of that, she underwent a DNA testing of her urine sample, a plea that was rejected by the disciplinary committee but accepted by the appeals panel. The DNA test, eventually, took place at the Forensics Department of Kings’ College, London.
"The A and B samples from the previously analysed urine sample produced extremely poor partial DNA profiles, presenting as a mixture of two female individuals in similar proportions," the appeals panel order stated.
The order further stated that "in the light of the DNA sample report, the counsel for NADA is not able to point out any other factor which would persuade the Appeal Panel to reject the case of the athlete.
"The counsel for NADA fairly accepted the DNA report and has not challenged the findings of the same.
"In view of the aforesaid facts, the order dated 11.04.2023 passed by the learned Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel is set aside. Accordingly, sanction of four years imposed upon the athlete is also set aside as well as consequential directions of forfeiture of competitive results w.e.f. 13.06.2022 is also set aside," the panel added.
Appeals panel ordered NADA to refund ₹1.5 lakh within 10 days
The National Anti-Doping Agency’s appeals panel has directed NADA to refund ₹1.5 lakh to Shalu Chaudhary which they had collected for the DNA testing within 10 days. The order was, reportedly, passed on April 18, 2024.
It is to be noted that initially, Shalu’s plea for DNA testing for rejected by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel in April, last year. However, she didn’t back down and went on to take the case to the Appeal Panel.
In October, last year, the Appeals Panel, eventually, agreed to Shalu’s request for DNA testing.
"I am pleased to announce that the appeals panel's decision to exonerate Shalu Chaudhary validates our longstanding assertion of innocence," Shalu Chaudhary’s advocate Goswami said in a statement.
"The impact of such errors by officials on an athlete's career cannot be understated. The consequences can be devastating, not just professionally but personally as well," added Goswami.