The Indian Weightlifting Federation, facing strong action from the international body for a spate of dope cases recently, is paying the price for its "lenient" attitude towards drug cheats, feels India's first Olympic medallist in the sport Karnam Malleswari.

Malleswari, who won a bronze in the 69kg category at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, said the current state of affairs in weightlifting is saddening with the federation facing the prospect of a third international ban after six lifters flunked dope tests in September.