Flying Sikh in Sunita’s relay team, changa vakil needed

Fear of facing the ignominy of a two-year ban, increasing pressure from media, the usual red-tapism in the Amateur Athletic Federation of In...

Fear of facing the ignominy of a two-year ban, increasing pressure from media, the usual red-tapism in the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) and the desire to prove her innocence has forced dope-accused athlete Sunita Rani to think of the extreme: move the court against International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), the world’s governing body for athletics. And the man the Sunita Rani family has roped in to fight their cause is none other than the legendary quarter-miler Milkha Singh himself.

‘She’s in Shimla, hasn’t
spoken to media’

Sunita’s brother Shinder Pal said that they have shifted her sister to a safe place ‘‘somewhere around Shimla’’ and will keep her there till October 25. About media reports on her comments after landing in the country he said, ‘‘A lot of fraudulent reports are appearing based on talks with Sunita. But she never spoke to any mediaperson and it was me who attended the press reporters chasing us on our way back home last evening. We don’t want to get into more of trouble.’’

Impressed by Flying Sikh’s recent statements on the Busan doping fiasco involving his sister, Sunita’s brother Shinder Pal called up Milkha on Saturday afternoon and asked him to search for a changa vakil (good lawyer) who can take up cudgels against the world body if Sunita’s medals are taken back and a suspension for two years is slapped on her.

‘‘Yes, Sunita’s brother called me up and asked for help. He told me that his sister is innocent and asked me whether legal action can be taken against the IAAF. I said to him it is very much possible,’’ said Milkha Singh.

A nandrolone case has been brought against Sunita and her future hangs in balance till October 25 when the results of the ‘B’ sample will be made public. Though some big names like Linford Christie and Dieter Baumann have been tested positive for the same drug in the past, none had dared to challenge the IAAF’s decision.

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‘‘I will consult the lawyers I know and tell them to be prepared if Sunita is banned,’’ says Milkha.

Milkha said that according to Shinder Pal, Sunita is also being ‘threatened’ by certain top AAFI officials to keep quiet and ‘‘not give statements’’ till the results of her final test was known.

‘‘He also told me that most Indian athletes take drugs but only Sunita was being singled out. He said she suspected foreign hand as she broke the Asian record,’’ said Milkha.

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