Queen Latifa doping case: former BTC chief slams CID charge sheet

Former Bangalore Turf Club chairman Dr K M Srinivasa Gowda on Wednesday criticised the charge sheet filed by the Criminal Investigation Department in the race horse Queen Latifa doping case, suggesting the probe may not have been done properly.

The charge sheet, filed before the ACMM court, named former BTC CEO Nirmal Prasad, chief stipendiary steward Pradyumna Singh, deputy chief veterinary officer Dr H S Mahesh, former steward Vivek Ubhaykar, owner and BTC member Arjun Sajnani and trainer Neil Darashah.

"I feel the investigation could have been done better," said Dr Gowda. "I feel the CID could have been more open about its investigation. From what I heard, it sent Queen Latifa's samples to several labs. All of them are accredited and would have given a fair assessment. I have a feeling it has hidden the investigation material from some labs and taken into account those from just a couple of labs.

"The most important thing is that procaine is not a performance-enhancing drug. It is just an anaesthetic. In my opinion, the investigation has not been done properly. I feel innocent people have been wrongly accused. I'm confident the court of law will find the investigations incomplete. Elements who are interested in ruining the club have played a part in giving inaccurate statements," he said.

The over 600-page charge sheet said there was an attempt to cover up the case involving Queen Latifa, which had been administered procaine.

The BTC came in the dock for its handling of the matter, with the then chairman N Harindra Shetty writing to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging corrupt practices in the club.