Nandi meets Maken, apprises him of doping at NIS

Ex National Institute of Sports medical officer Dr Sajib Nandi said he has "substantial evidence" to back his claim of organised doping going on at the institute with involvement of top officials.

New Delhi: A day after he was roughed up by security officials at Patiala, former National Institute of Sports medical officer Dr Sajib Nandi said he has "substantial evidence" to back his claim of organised doping going on at the institute with involvement of top officials.

Nandi, who was physically assaulted and denied entry into the NIS Patiala yesterday, today met Sports Minister Ajay Maken here and apprised him of the "illegal doping practices" going on in the institute at the behest of senior Sports Authority of India officials. "I apprised the minister about organised doping in NIS Patiala. I gave him a copy of the representation which I will submit to Justice (Mukul) Mudgal," he told reporters. "I feel happy and vindicated. The minister listened to me patiently and he was considerate. He was very sad to see the increasing number of doping cases. He wants to clean up sports," he said.Nandi alleged that he was beaten up by the security in-charge at NIS Patiala, Chindar Pal Singh on the directions of institute`s executive director Laxman Singh Ranawat yesterday, when he went there to submit a representation to Justice Mukul Mudgal, who is probing the doping scandal involving eight of the country`s top athletes. "Since 2002 I have been saying that senior officials of SAI were involved in organised doping. I never took Ranawat`s name but now I say he is also involved. There are a group of crooks in SAI," he said. Asked whether he had enough evidence to substantiate his claims, the former SAI doctor said, "I don`t have the habit of making allegations without substantial facts.” "But I cannot disclose it to media. I will substantiate before Justice Mudgal. I think Justice Mudgal will submit an effective report and the minister also told me the government will effectively follow his recommendations." PTI