Dope scandal hearing adjourned for Sept 14

New Delhi: Six top athletes who were involved in the recent dope scandal, including Asian Games

double gold medallist Ashwini Akkunji, today appeared before the NADA Disciplinary Panel which adjourned the case for September 14. Besides Akkunji, those who appeared before the Dinesh Dayal-headed panel were her 4X400m relay team-mates Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose and three other quartermilers Juana Murmu, Priyanka Panwar and Tiana Mary Thomas. Long jumper Harikrishna Muralidharan`s case was heard separately and his case has been adjourned for September 16. The six quartermilers sought some documents relating to the testing of the dope samples and the panel told the athletes` lawyer to file an application to the National Dope Testing Laboratory before the next hearing. The eighth athlete involved in the dope scandal, Sonia has already been heard by the panel and the judgment has been reserved. The `B` samples of all the eight athletes have returned positive for anabolic steroids and they have been put under provisional suspension. PTI