Vijender advised to give samples for test

Coach GS Sandhu advised him to give samples of his hair and blood to investigating agencies

With Punjab Police tightening its noose around Olympian medal winner Vijender Singh for his alleged involvement in a drug haul case, his coach on Monday advised the pugilist to give his blood and hair samples for tests. Indian boxing coach G S Sandhu advised Vijender to give samples of his hair and blood to the investigating agencies.

"He should himself come forward and give samples to police as investigating agencies wanted to move the court for it," the coach said. He should give samples so that the investigation agencies could get them examined from an accredited sports agency, he added. Punjab Police have collected the hair and blood samples of boxer Ram Singh, a sparring partner of Vijender, in the drug haul case. Punjab police have claimed Vijender had consumed drugs 12 times as per the testimony of his sparring partner.

Police had claimed Vijender and Ram Singh allegedly procured the drug from alleged drug dealers Anoop Singh Kahlon and Rocky for personal consumption as "fun". Ram Singh, who was on March 28 dismissed from the post of head constable in Punjab.

Police, had given his blood as well as hair samples to the investigators. Regarding samples of Vijender, police said the matter regarding moving a competent court for issuance of directions to the boxers for making themselves available for a hair test was examined by deputy district attorney of Fatehgarh Sahib district. Hair-testing facilities are not available in the local Forensic Science labs.

The crime wing of Punjab Police has directed the local FSL to provide information as to which lab in the country can conduct the test appropriately early so that necessary action can be taken.