Boxer Vijender Singh quizzed; refuses blood, hair samples

International boxer and Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh on Monday refused to give his blood and hair samples to investigators even as a Punjab Police team questioned him for nearly four hours in the seizure of a huge quantity of heroin in the state last week.

A Punjab Police spokesman said Monday evening: "As per the procedure, in the presence of two private witnesses, he (Vijender) was asked for his consent for giving his blood and hair samples required for forensic examination for investigation purpose, which he refused."

Vijender, who is a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) in the Haryana Police, was questioned by the Punjab Police team at a police establishment in Panchkula town, 20 km from here. The questioning took place in the presence of Haryana's Superintendent of Police (Crime) Hardeep Singh Doon.

Police sources said that two Punjab Police officers, including a DSP and an inspector, questioned the boxer at the Haryana Police lines near Panchkula town from 5 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

"The Punjab Police tied up with Haryana Police for questioning of Vijender Singh. The team questioned him regarding the drug case registered last week," the Punjab Police spokesman said.

The Fatehgarh Sahib district police had recovered 26 kg heroin, worth Rs.130 crore in the international market, from the possession of Canada-based drugs dealer Anoop Singh Kahlon and had arrested him on Thursday. The drug haul was made from Kahlon's flat in Zirakpur, near Chandigarh and his car.

Police also found a SUV, registered in the name of Vijender's wife Archana, parked outside Kahlon's flat.

Kahlon reportedly told the police that Vijender and fellow boxer Ram Singh were his "clients".

Though police have so far refrained from directly linking Vijender with the drugs haul, Ram Singh's statements to police have seen his name figuring in the controversy.

"Vijender was in touch with some Mumbai celebrities, who were regular in rave parties and took drugs. Therefore, we also tried it. However, we did not pay anything to Kahlon for drugs," Ram Singh said.

Ram Singh and Vijender are very close friends and they were roommates at National Institute of Sports (NIS) for nearly six years. Vijender had allegedly promoted Ram Singh in various platforms by using his influence.

Vijender has denied any involvement in the drugs racket. He had offered to undergo dope testing to prove himself.

Vijender's close friend and room-mate for nearly 15 years at NIS-Patiala, Jai Bhagwan, rubbished reports of the popular boxer's involvement in the drugs smuggling racket. He said that Vijender's name was being unnecessarily dragged into the issue.