Ram Singh to be expelled from National Institute of Sports after confessing to drug use

PATIALA: Embroiled in a drug scandal that has shaken the core of Indian boxing, super heavyweight pugilist Ram Singh will be expelled from the National Institute of Sports tomorrow after admitting to consuming the contraband.

Ram, a former National Championships medallist, has admitted to experimenting with drugs along with Olympic bronze-medallist Vijender Singh, who has denied the allegations.

Their names cropped up after the unearthing of heroin worth Rs 130 crore from Fatehgarh Sahib at an NRIs flat. An SUV registered in the name of Vijender's wife was found outside the flat during the police raid.

"Ram will be temporarily expelled from the NIS as he has confessed to taking drugs. We have already received the orders from the top administration, he will be formally suspended tomorrow," national boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu told PTI.

"But we should wait for the investigation to get over before jumping to conclusions," he said.

Sandhu continued to stand by Vijender, who has not spoken after the fresh claims made by Ram.

"I know him for the past 10 years and he has undergone numerous dope tests. He has always been clean. He is one of the most disciplined boys I have worked with," said Sandhu.

"We should wait for the investigation to be completed. It is unfair to malign him like this," he added.