By IANS,
New Delhi : Senior Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Wednesday demanded an impartial and speedy inquiry into the doping charge against weight-lifter Monika Devi, because of which she could not compete in the Beijing Olympics.
“This is a very serious matter. It shows our sports administration in a very poor light. There should be an impartial and speedy inquiry into this episode and the guilty should be punished,” Advani said at the Patriots’ Day function organised by the Manipuri Diaspora Association, Delhi.
Monika Devi earlier this month was withdrawn at the last minute from the Indian contingent leaving for Beijing after her dope test, conducted by the Sports Authority of India, returned positive.
Though she was cleared later, by then it was too late for her to participate in the Olympics.
Advani said: “Equally important is the need to ensure that such incidents do not recur.”
The function was organised to pay homage to Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General and other Indian patriots from Manipur.
“Monica Devi, a weight-lifter of international repute, is the pride of Manipur and India. She could have perhaps won a medal for India, had this controversy not erupted,” Advani added.
He was speaking before Sports Minister M.S. Gill in the evening ordered an inquiry into the controversy.