Vijender Singh may be questioned over Anoop Singh Kahlon links, Ram Singh expelled

The Punjab Police is likely to question Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh for his reported links with alleged NRI drug smuggler Anoop Singh Kahlon, alias Ruby, on Monday. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, today expelled Vijender's sparring partner Ram Singh from its training camp.

Highly placed sources in the Punjab Police said Vijender will be questioned either at the Haryana Police headquarters in Panchkula or the Punjab Police headquarters in Chandigarh. Sources said Vijender had contacted the Punjab Police through Haryana Police officials and agreed to being questioned.

The NIS's decision to expel Ram Singh, a former national champion in the super heavyweight category, came a day after he admitted on Saturday that he and Vijender had tried heroin for "fun" three or four times.

Changing his statement today, Ram Singh, who was questioned by the Punjab Police for the third day, said he and Vijender mistook heroin for a food supplement and consumed it. He, however, added that he had consumed the food supplement by "inhaling it". He even warned other sportspersons not to make a similar "mistake".

"We have got orders to expel Ram Singh from Monday. He was the 51st member of the boxing camp and we had given him special permission on the recommendation of Vijender Singh. Now, after he has admitted to taking drugs, we have taken the decision after consulting higher officials and coaches. We will also conduct a check of the premises," said NIS director L S Ranawat. He added that the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is expected to conduct dope tests at NIS.

Ranawat also rubbished Ram Singh's claim that he had mistaken heroin for a food supplement. "We have given them a list of 45 food supplements which they can procure on their own and seek reimbursement," he said.

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