Weightlifters Edwin Raju and Tejinder Singh, who tested positive at the recent Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, were slapped by life bans by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) today. The IWF also suspended for two years women lifters Shailaja Pujari and B Prameelavalli who returned positive in an out of competition test by WADA.

Raju and Tejinder will also have to pay a fine of Rs..10,000 each, the IWF announced after its executive committee meeting here today. “The ban will come into effect after the verdict of Court of Arbitration for Sports” which is hearing their case, IWF president HJ Dora said.

“The decision was taken in accordance with the anti-doping rules adopted by the national body in September 2004,” he said. All the four lifters were found to have traces of stanozonol, a banned steroid, in their samples.

Tejinder pulled out of the 85-kg event while Raju finished fourth in 56-kg contest.

Shailaja (75kg) and Prameelavalli (63kg) were withdrawn from the Melbourne-bound team.

The four positive cases within a space of two months led to the International Weightlifting Federation provisionally suspending the IWF, the duration of the suspension to be decided in May. Dora said the committee would also consider the suggestion of banning the weightlifters testing positive at international competitions, as deterrent.