India proposes criminal penalties for doping substance trafficking and supply

The Indian government has proposed amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act that would criminalize the trafficking, sale, and distribution of prohibited substances to athletes, with penalties including imprisonment of up to five years and fines. The draft amendments, published on the Sports Ministry's website for public feedback until June 18, aim to target the organized networks behind doping while maintaining existing sporting sanctions for athletes who test positive.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the amended bill will be presented during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament after public consultation. He stated that doping has evolved into an organized ecosystem exploiting athletes and that current measures primarily punish consumers rather than suppliers. The proposed law seeks to hold accountable anyone who administers banned substances to an athlete, including coaches, managers, fellow athletes, or medical practitioners knowingly involved in doping offenses.

The amendments specify that activities such as trafficking, selling, dispensing, or prescribing prohibited substances or methods for doping purposes would be punishable. The framework also...