Punjab cops to move court on Vijender issue

Chandigarh (PTI): Punjab police may approach court seeking directions to Olympian Vijender Singh to give his hair and blood samples following the refusal of the boxer whose name has cropped up during investigation of the drug haul case. Police sources said the refusal of Vijender, who is a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Haryana Police, to give the two samples during his questioning for nearly four hours at Panchkula in Haryana late last evening, went against him. "We will adopt the lawful procedure available to us to seek his blood and hair samples," the sources said, adding the option of moving court is being examined. Hair tests can show if the person under scrutiny has taken drugs like heroin in the previous 90 days. Blood test can reveal whether he regularly consumes heroin or other drugs. Vijender's answers given last evening to a two member team of Punjab police comprising a DSP and Inspector are being examined in the light of the probe so far, including the statements of the boxer's sparring partner Ram Singh that the duo consumed heroin thinking it was "food supplement". He is expected to be summoned again for questioning, the sources said. A report from Patiala said Vijender, Olympic bronze medalist, has applied for leave till March 14 from the national boxing camp currently on at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports in Patiala. Sources said Vijender was to join at Patiala on Sunday, but after his failure to re-join, the institute had given him time till Tuesday to join the camp. Executive Director of NS NIS LS Ranawat declined to comment on the issue of Vijender's joining back and told PTI that "Sorry, I have been advised to avoid press in this case". Similar comments were expressed by Indian Boxing coach GS Sandhu, when approached. It is not yet certain whether NIS has accepted Vijender Singh's leave application or forwarded it to Sports Authority of India's (SAI) Delhi office.