The National Anti-Doping Act, which was revised recently, is set to undergo another round of changes aimed at making the supply and trafficking of banned substances to athletes a criminal offence. The proposed provisions include prison sentences of up to five years for those involved in supplying prohibited drugs, including doctors and medical professionals found knowingly prescribing such substances.
The draft amendments have been placed on the Sports Ministry’s official website for public consultation, with stakeholders invited to submit their feedback by June 18. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that the revised bill, incorporating public suggestions, is expected to be introduced during Parliament’s upcoming monsoon session.
“Whoever administers or applies to an athlete, for the purpose of or in connection with doping in sport…shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to (five) years, or with fine which may extend up to (two lakh) rupees, or both,” the proposed amendment states.
Mandaviya, who has consistently pushed for stronger awareness drives against doping, said introducing criminal penalties for the organised supply of banned substances has become essential.
“Doping is no longer just a sporting violation; it has evolved into an organised ecosystem exploiting athletes,” Mandaviya said in an interaction with the media here, as quoted by PTI.
“We only punish those who are consuming but suppliers need to be targetted as well. So whether it is a coach, a manager, a fellow athlete or anyone who has direct access to an athlete, those found guilty of being part of the supply chain will be prosecuted if these amendments go through,” he added.
The idea of criminalising doping-related activities gained significant attention during the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (GAIIN) conference, where Mandaviya had revealed the government’s intention to introduce stricter legal measures to combat the issue.
India’s continued appearance at the top of WADA’s list of doping offenders over the last three years has raised concerns, especially as the country aims to host the 2036 Olympics after securing the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The nation’s anti-doping record is seen as a potential obstacle to those ambitions.
Interestingly, the latest proposal resembles an earlier draft introduced in 2018, which had recommended a four-year prison sentence along with a Rs 2 lakh fine for organised networks and individuals supplying banned substances to athletes.
Those provisions, however, were eventually dropped from the legislation passed in 2022 and later revised last year, as the government preferred a preventive framework over a criminal one.
The fresh amendments go a step further by bringing medical practitioners under scrutiny as well. Doctors who knowingly prescribe prohibited substances could now face legal action if found complicit in doping violations.
“Whoever, for the purpose of or in connection with doping in sport, traffics in, sells, dispenses or otherwise places on the market without trafficking, or makes out a prescription for, any prohibited substance or prohibited method, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to [five] years, or with fine which may extend up to [two lakh] rupees, or both,” the amendment states.
At the same time, exemptions have been proposed for athletes granted Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) for legitimate medical conditions, as well as for doctors handling emergency cases. In such instances, athletes would need to establish their innocence.
“In situations referred to under this sub-section, it shall be the responsibility of the athlete to apply for a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption in accordance with the provisions of this Act and regulations thereunder,” states the amendment.
“There shall be no liability for the relevant medical practitioner, regardless of whether the Therapeutic Use Exemption is granted or declined,” it said.
The Sports Ministry also clarified that the proposed changes would not alter the existing rules related to anti-doping violations committed by athletes themselves.
“Anti-Doping Rule violations by athletes will continue to be dealt with under the existing anti-doping framework,” it stated.
“The proposed amendments seek to ensure that clean athletes remain protected while enabling stronger action against criminal networks exploiting sport and athletes for commercial gain.”
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