Reduced Bans For Himanshu Rathi, Basanti Kumari, Shashi Bhushan Singh, Balvindra Singh Following...

Last Updated:February 22, 2026, 22:04 IST

Rathi, Kumari, and Singh were handed reduced three-year bans after they accepted their offences within 20 days of being charged, while Balvindra Singh was handed a five-year ban.

Four Indian athletes have received reduced bans from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after early admission of their offences and acceptance of the sanctions.

Himanshu Rathi, Basanti Kumari, and Shashi Bhushan Singh were handed three-year bans, a reduction of one year, after they accepted their offences within 20 days of being charged, according to NADA’s latest update. Meanwhile, Balvindra Singh was handed a five-year ban, starting from September 19, 2025.

Middle-distance runner Rathi was provisionally suspended after he tested positive for the stimulant mephentermine in 2025. His three-year ban began on November 20, 2025.

The 24-year-old Kumari, a distance runner who participated in the 2025 World University Games in the half marathon, tested positive for 19-norandrosterone. Kumari’s ban started on November 7, 2025.

The 30-year-old Bhushan won a 1500m silver medal in the 2023 National Games in Goa. His three-year ban period started on September 19, 2025.

Athletes may receive reduced bans under the “case resolution agreement" provided in Articles 10.8 and 8.3 of the NADA Anti-Doping Rule 2021.

The maximum ban period for a first offence is four years, but Article 10.8 of the NADA Rules provides for “results management agreements" under which athletes can receive reduced punishments based on early admission and acceptance of sanctions.

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