New Delhi, May 21: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released proposed amendments to India’s anti-doping legal framework for public consultation. The aim is to impose criminal penalties for organized doping activities while protecting athletes from criminal prosecution for general anti-doping violations.
The proposed amendments target the extensive ecosystem that enables doping in sports. This includes traffickers, illegal suppliers, organized syndicates, and personnel involved in the distribution and administration of banned substances.
According to the ministry, the proposed framework seeks to classify various activities associated with organized doping networks as criminal offenses. These activities include trafficking of banned substances, unauthorized sales or distribution, administration of restricted substances to athletes for doping purposes, supplying such substances to minors, organized commercial activities related to doping, selling restricted substances without proper labeling, and advertising or paid promotions that encourage doping practices.
The ministry clarified that athletes will not face criminal prosecution solely for testing positive or violating anti-doping rules unless they are directly involved in trafficking or organized doping schemes.
The ministry stated, “Violations of anti-doping rules by athletes will continue to be addressed under the existing anti-doping framework.”
The proposed changes aim to strengthen actions against criminal networks active in and around the sports sector, while ensuring that clean athletes are not unfairly targeted under criminal law provisions.
Officials noted that this framework is designed to balance the protection of athletes, the integrity of sports, public health concerns, and effective law enforcement.
The proposed amendments also include safety measures for athletes with legitimate “therapeutic use exemptions.” Additionally, protections are provided for legitimate medical professionals administering banned substances in genuine emergency medical situations related to athletes.
The ministry mentioned that the proposed measures align with India’s commitments under the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport and correspond with the comprehensive approach supported by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
As part of the consultation process, all stakeholders, including sports associations, athletes, coaches, administrators, and the general public, are invited to submit their feedback and suggestions on the proposed amendments. The deadline for submissions is set for June 18.
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