The family of a 17-year-old Indian long-distance runner is deeply troubled after their son was handed a three-year jail sentence in Kenya following a high-profile doping scandal.
Aman Malik, originally from Haryana’s Sonipat district, had travelled to Iten in 2023 with big dreams of improving his skills and becoming a top marathon runner. However, instead of progressing in his career, his life took an unexpected and painful turn.
A Nairobi court found him guilty after investigations revealed that he was linked to a group suspected of trafficking illegal drugs and supplying banned performance-enhancing substances to athletes.
According to court documents, the group operated like a well-coordinated cross-border network, and authorities claimed that Aman was involved in the chain.
During the raid, officers confiscated items such as Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and intravenous injection kits.
Since his sentencing in September 2025, Aman has been held in a congested Nairobi prison, where he shares a four-room space with about 30 other inmates.
Speaking to the Indian Express, he admitted that prison life has been extremely challenging. He often feels anxious, lonely, and overwhelmed, and he struggles to adapt to the unfamiliar food, strict schedules, and dull daily routines behind bars.
Back home, his family continues to express distress over his situation. His widowed mother, who now lives alone in Pinana village in India, reportedly lives in constant fear for her son’s safety and emotional state.
His older brother also believes the punishment was too harsh for someone his age and questions whether justice was fairly served.
How the Indian Teen Found Himself in Trouble
Aman’s problems started soon after he arrived in Iten — the world-famous “Home of Champions,” known for producing elite athletes.
While training in Kenya, he received a parcel from a friend in India that contained banned substances. He later said that some ‘senior athletes’ advised him about the supposed advantages of using growth hormones, advice he now regrets following.
The court later identified the sender of the parcel as his coach — a former middle-distance runner and well-known social media figure. Although the coach admitted sending the package, he insisted he was unaware of what was inside.
Despite the difficulties, Aman has a small ray of hope. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has been granted consular access and confirmed that the teen is being treated according to Kenyan law and prison standards.
Once he completes his sentence, he is expected to be repatriated to India, where he can finally reunite with his family and begin rebuilding his life after the ordeal.
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