'Intruder' who may have spiked Narsingh Yadav’s food identified

SONEPAT/NEW DELHI: Did an intruder spike Narsingh Yadav's+ food supplements and has he been identified? Information emerging from the SAI Centre at Sonepat points to the younger brother of an international wrestler in the super-heavyweight category, who allegedly infiltrated Narsingh's+ room and contaminated his food supplements.

The person is himself a 65 kg wrestler and has represented India in the junior ranks. He trains at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi and frequents the SAI Sonepat Centre during the national camps as a sparring partner. The suspected intruder was allegedly seen hanging around Narsingh's room when the 74kg freestyle wrestler was with the Indian team in Bulgaria. He apparently asked for the keys to Narsingh's room at the KD Jadhav hostel at the centre during the wrestler's absence and when someone enquired, he feigned ignorance asking, "Yeh Pawan ka room hai, na?" (Isn't this Pawan's room)?

An FIR has been filed, according to Wrestling Federation of India. TOI has confirmed that Narsingh himself went to file a written complaint at Samalkha police station, near Panipat. "He claimed that he suspects a few people who may have spiked his food supplements and water," said a source in Haryana Police.

Despite the SAI centre at Sonipat being under CCTV coverage, there is no footage of the alleged break-in as the centre doesn't store footage beyond 10 days. Meanwhile, Narsingh told TOI that training in Sonipat was a huge mistake despite the presence of national coaches. "Had I stayed in Mumbai for training instead of Sonipat, I would not have landed in the dope trouble," he said.

Narsingh was tested by Nada on June 2, before the team left for a training stint in Bulgaria and Georgia, a full absence of nearly 20 days. According to Narsingh, it was during this time that the foul play was carried out.