In July 2022 the India National Anti-Doping Agency (INADA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the bowling Athlete Soumen Benerjee after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Eplerenone.
Following notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of India (ADDPI).
The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained with evidence that the substance was used as prescribed medication for his high blood pressure.
The Athlete asserted that he was unaware that his medication contained a prohibited substance, nor that he had to apply for a TUE. He argued that was never tested before and that he had mentioned his medication on the Doping Control Form.
The Panel finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Panel accepts that the violation was not intentional and that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence regarding the prescribed medication he had used.
Therefore the Panel decides on 11 July 2023 to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.
