By IANS,
New Delhi : Sports Minister M.S. Gill Wednesday ordered an inquiry in the Monika Devi dope controversy. Retired Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy will inquire into the matter and submit a report at the earliest.
Weightlifter Monika tested positive in an out-of-competition test conducted by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and was pulled out of the Indian contingent participating in Beijing Olympics. The Manipur weightlifter claimed that she was innocent and was being framed.
Gill, who returned from Beijing Wednesday, decided to appoint the inquiry.
“The Ministry has taken not of the developments. Questions arose about her dope testing and the timings and release of the reports. Subsequently, Weightlifting Federation of India (WFI) submitted a report suggesting that she should be cleared for going to the Olympics. Unfortunately, given the time factor it was not possible for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to get her into the competitions,” Gill said in a statement.
“An inquiry has been instituted to look into the issue immediately. Retired Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy will go into all aspects of this matter to bring out the truth and submit report to the government at the earliest.”
Gill also said there is a need to set up a world standard technically proficient dope testing mechanism.
“No sportsperson should suffer due to any laxity or delay on the part of this testing mechanism. While ensuring prompt and firm action in Monika Devi’s case, I am determined to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future,” Gill said.