Ahead of the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Albania this October, wrestler Bajrang Punia has challenged his suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in the Delhi High Court.

Punia contends that NADA's actions infringe upon his fundamental rights to practice his profession and earn a livelihood under the Constitution of India. He argues that the "arbitrary" suspension could force him into retirement if not overturned.

On June 21, NADA imposed a second suspension on Punia and issued a formal "notice of charge," which barred him from training and competing. This decision came just three weeks after an Anti-Disciplinary Doping (ADDP) panel had lifted the previous suspension, noting that NADA had not issued a "notice of charge" to him at that time.

NADA's initial suspension on April 23 was due to Punia's refusal to provide a urine sample for a doping test during selection trials on March 10, which also led to a suspension from the global governing body, United Wrestling World (UWW).

In his petition, filed through lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, Punia, who had previously led protests against the then-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment, argues that NADA violated testing guidelines and protocols. He seeks a directive to suspend or quash the June 21 suspension order, asserting that it was issued "without application of mind" and failed to consider the explanations and evidence he provided.

"The present Petition is filed.. by the Petitioner being aggrieved inter alia, by the illegal conduct of the Respondent i.e. the National Anti-Doping Agency of India whilst undertaking the sample collection of the Petitioner by using expired test kits and subsequently suspending him on arbitrary grounds," the petition said.

"The Petitioner will be forced to retire from wrestling due to the arbitrary actions of the Respondent. In particular, the Petitioner may lose out on competing at the Senior World Wrestling Championships set to be held in Albania from 28th to 31st October 2024, which is the last major event that he shall have the opportunity to compete in for a period of two (2) years. Consequently, the Petitioner will have no other option but to officially retire from the sport of wrestling," added the plea.