The Extraterritorial Reach Of Anti-Doping Laws: A Challenge To Indian Sovereignty
- IJLLR Journal
- 8 hours ago
- 1 min read
Digvijay Singh Chauhan, Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun
Satyam Sharma, Assistant Professor, Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun.
ABSTRACT
The increasing globalization of sports has led to a parallel expansion of regulatory frameworks governing athlete conduct, particularly in the domain of anti-doping. The World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), administered by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), seeks to ensure uniformity in anti- doping standards across jurisdictions. However, its extraterritorial application raises complex legal and constitutional questions, especially for sovereign states like India, where domestic legal systems are required to align with international sporting norms.
This study critically examines the extraterritorial reach of anti-doping laws and evaluates whether such enforcement mechanisms pose a challenge to Indian sovereignty. It explores how international obligations under WADA compliance interact with domestic legal frameworks such as the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, and the role of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in implementing global standards within India. The research also analyzes the tension between international regulatory uniformity and constitutional principles of autonomy, due process, and athlete rights.
Furthermore, the paper investigates key legal and ethical concerns, including jurisdictional overreach, procedural fairness in doping adjudication, and the binding nature of sanctions imposed by international sports bodies like the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). It also highlights the implications for Indian athletes competing abroad and foreign athletes subject to testing protocols within India.
Keywords: Anti-Doping Laws; Extraterritorial Jurisdiction; State Sovereignty; World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA); World Anti-Doping Code (WADC); National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA); Sports Law in India; International Sports Governance; Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS); Athlete Rights; Constitutional Law; Regulatory Compliance; Globalization of Sports; Due Process; Jurisdictional Conflict.
