# Athlete Parvej Khan’s Doping Suspension Reduced on Technical Grounds National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel cuts athlete's six-year ban to five years following procedural review. - **Source:** [The Hindu – Sport](https://www.thehindu.com/sport) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5c78d4c5-148f-457e-99b2-5bd0c08778a9 ## Suspension Reduction Ruling The National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel has officially reduced athlete Parvej Khan’s suspension from six years to five years. This decision follows a technical review of the initial ruling issued on August 6, 2025. The panel determined that the athlete’s multiple anti-doping violations should be treated as a single first-time offense under current regulations. ## Consolidation of Violations The panel applied Article 10.9.3.1 of the anti-doping rules to consolidate two distinct cases. These included three whereabouts failures from 2023 and an adverse analytical finding for EPO detected in August 2024. By grouping these incidents, the authorities streamlined the sanctioning process, resulting in the revised five-year total ban for the athlete. ## Breakdown of Sanction The final five-year penalty comprises a four-year sanction for the EPO violation and an additional one-year period due to aggravating circumstances. The suspension period is backdated to August 28, 2024, accounting for the time Parvej Khan spent under a provisional suspension. This timeline establishes the official duration of his current competitive ban. ## Legal Counsel Objections Counsel Saurabh Mishra expressed dissatisfaction with the one-year enhancement linked to aggravating circumstances. He argued that these specific charges were not included in the original Notice of Charge. Furthermore, he stated that NADA did not raise these issues during the initial proceedings, effectively denying the athlete a fair opportunity to defend his position. ## Procedural Fairness Concerns Mishra emphasized that the lack of prior notice regarding the aggravating circumstances raises fundamental questions about procedural fairness. He noted that the athlete admitted to the EPO violation, which should have theoretically entitled him to a further one-year reduction. The defense maintains that the current ruling remains inconsistent with established legal standards for athletes. ## Appeal to CAS Following the panel's decision, Parvej Khan’s legal team intends to challenge the order at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This move seeks to address the perceived procedural gaps and potentially secure a further reduction in the suspension. The case highlights the complexities of navigating anti-doping regulations and the importance of transparent legal processes. ## Context of Doping Rules Anti-doping regulations often involve intricate rules regarding whereabouts failures and analytical findings. Athletes are strictly required to maintain accurate records of their location for testing purposes. Failure to comply, combined with positive test results for performance-enhancing substances like EPO, typically triggers severe, multi-year bans designed to maintain the integrity of professional sports competitions. ## Broader Regulatory Implications This case underscores the critical role of appeal panels in correcting technical errors within disciplinary proceedings. By scrutinizing the application of Article 10.9.3.1, the panel demonstrated how regulatory frameworks can be interpreted to ensure consistency. Future rulings will likely reference this case when balancing strict liability for doping against the requirements for procedural due process. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.thehindu.com/sport/parvejs-sanction-reduced-on-technical-grounds/article71666734.ece — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._