In November 2022 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Ritesh Arjun Ethape for his refusal or failure to submit to sample collection.
The Doping Control Officer (DCO) reported that the Athlete was duly notified about the sample collection. However the Athlete refused to sign the Notification From and ran away from the venue.
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI).
The Athlete denied that he had acted intentionally and he requested the Panel to reject the charges against him. He confirmed that after he had been notified by the DCO about the sample collection.
He alleged that he had received a phone call that his mother had a stroke. Because of this medical immergency he immediately had left the venue.
The Panel establishes that the Athlete had evaded the sample collection without a compelling justification after the notification. Without any corroborating evidence the Panel dismisses his explanation for his evasion.
The Panel considers that the Athlete was an experienced sportsman that had been tested before without issues. Finally the Panel deems that he acted intentionally.
Therefore the Panel decides on 17 April 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 23 November 2022.
