Army questions weight-lifter who tested positive at Melbourne

Pune , Mar 27 (UNI) A veil of secrecy has shrouded the independent inquiry launched by Pune-based Army Sports Institute (ASI) into the doping incident involving their weight-lifter Edwin Raju, who reportedly tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid in the Commonwealth Games, which concluded in Melbourne yesterday.

ASI's three-member fact-finding panel comprising Lt Col K S Gehlot, Lt Col R K Nayak and Major Prabhu Dayal began questioning Raju today, informed sources said.

Raju, 22, of Khadki-based Bombay Engineer Group, returned to his unit on Saturday, the sources added.

While ASI officials were unavailable for comments, sources said Raju has been barred by the Weightlifting Federation of India from speaking to the media till after the inquiry here and in Melbourne was completed.

Hearing into the two Indian weight lifters, who tested positive for banned steroids in Melbourne, was adjourned at the request of the Indian officials after they learnt that Raju's second sample had also tested positive.

Raju, who competed in the 56-kg category, had finished fourth, but was later reported to have tested positive for Stanozolol, a banned substance.

The other lifter who tested positive was Mohammed Zakir Asadullah, who had bagged a silver in the 77-kg category.

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