Narsingh Yadav's father stages protest in front of PM Modi's office

The father of wrestler Narsingh Yadav and several of his supporters on 30 July staged a protest in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary office at Ravindrapuri, Varanasi demanding a high-level inquiry into the doping scandal.

Pancham Yadav, father of the 26-year-old wrestler who tested positive in two dope tests following which his hopes of participating in Rio Olympics faded away, claimed that his son was "innocent" and had fallen a victim to a conspiracy hatched by the rivals to oust him from the games.

People from their native village, Neema, and its adjoining villages had gathered in front of the office demanding a high-level inquiry.

Local politicans also joined the protesters.

Earlier this week, Narsingh, who bagged the quota with a bronze medal finish in last year's World Championships, tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid on both his 'A' and 'B' samples. He has been provisionally suspended since then.

Narsingh's hopes of representing India at the 74kg event in next month's Rio Olympics received a further blow ahead of the hearing on Wednesday as he failed his second dope test conducted by the NADA on July 5th.

Meanwhile, Narsingh has cried foul play, claiming that his food had been spiked and has filed an FIR at the Sonepat Police Station against two fellow wrestlers.

WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had also backed Narsingh's claims of a conspiracy, after his sparring partner and roommate Sandeep Tulsi also tested positive for drugs.

Following the positive tests, Parveen Rana was named as Narsingh's replacement to save India the quota place. The move has been approved by United World Wrestling.

Narsingh was selected for the Rio Olympics in controversial circumstances as two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar had demanded for trials to determine who should go to the games. However, Narsingh was favoured for the same after fighting a lengthy legal battle with Sushil.