JOIN USConsumed heroin by mistake, says boxer Ram Singh
After confessing on Saturday that he and Olympic medal winner Vijender Singh had “experimented” with heroin, boxer Ram Singh “rephrased” his statement claiming that they took some food supplement which they later realised was heroin.
The Punjab Police are yet to question Vijender in the case which broke out following the seizure of 26 kg heroin–worth Rs 130 crore in the international market–from Anup Singh Kahlon, an alleged drug peddler and his accomplice Kulwinder Singh alias Rocky on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Sports (NIS) expelled Ram Singh, a Punjab Police officer, from the institute after his involvement in the case became apparent. Singh had been undergoing training at the NIS in Patiala ahead of an international championship. “He has been asked to vacate the premises by Monday. Olympian Vijender Singh will continue to stay,” an NIS source said.
The NIS administration has already issued an order to expel Singh.
The Punjab Police are focusing on nabbing the drug racketeers in the case and have arrested seven people. Sources said Vijender has not been questioned so far as his direct involvement in the case has remained ambiguous. However, Vijender may not be too far from trouble.
The police have launched a manhunt for Jagdish Singh Bhola, an alleged key element in the drug racket. Bhola, a dismissed Punjab DSP, is also a wrestler who was honoured with Arjuna Award.
National boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu defended Vijender. He claimed that Vijender was one of the most disciplined boys at the NIS. “Vijender’s image should not be maligned since investigation into the drug haul is not complete,” he added.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also hoped that Vijender is clean. “I know him for 10 years. He has undergone numerous dope tests and he has always been clean,” Sandhu said.
According to sources, it is unlikely that Vijender is asked to undergo a dope test by the authorities concerned.
Vijender has completely denied all allegations. A car in the name of Vijender’s wife was found outside the residence of Kahlon, from where the drugs were confiscated. Vijender Singh is a recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award and a deputy SP in Haryana.