Overview
- The Sports Ministry published draft amendments on May 21 that would make trafficking, sale, distribution and administration of prohibited performance‑enhancing substances criminal offences and invited comments until June 18.
- The draft sets basic penalties of up to five years in prison and fines (reports cite aggravated terms up to ten years and larger fines for offences involving minors or organised commercial activity).
- The text preserves that athletes will not face criminal prosecution for anti‑doping rule violations and includes exemptions for valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions and emergency medical treatment by registered practitioners.
- Proposed enforcement changes expand powers to search and temporarily detain individuals in public places for up to 24 hours and strengthen NADA’s intelligence and investigations role, while leaving unclear which agency will hold prosecution authority and how complex investigations will be resourced.
- The move follows international pressure from WADA and global operations targeting suppliers; it revives earlier criminal proposals dropped before the 2022 law and could shift liability onto coaches, doctors and managers if the bill is tabled in the monsoon session after review of public feedback.