AICF president, secretary make counter-claims on 'Lahiri vs Barua' controversy

The president’s faction through a press release claimed that GM Dibyendu Barua’s allegations of misappropriation of funds levelled against BCA secretary Atanu Lahiri has been rejected at the SGM.

The AICF secretary said the Raja faction’s decision to hold the federation elections on February 10 in Chennai had been overturned and the same would be held in Ahmedabad on February 9 under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.

The fight between All India Chess Federation (AICF) president P Venketrama Raja and secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan intensified after the Special General Meeting (SGM) in Bhopal on Saturday pertaining to issues with regards to Bengal Chess Association (BCA).

The president’s faction through a press release claimed that GM Dibyendu Barua’s allegations of misappropriation of funds levelled against BCA secretary Atanu Lahiri has been rejected at the SGM. However, Chauhan said that there will be an independent inquiry by a retired High Court judge against Lahiri.

The AICF President and Secretary have been at loggerheads over various issues.

In a press release issued by AICF treasurer Kishore Bandekar, who belongs to Raja faction, claimed that Chauhan was feeding false stories to the media.

“Bharat Singh is feeding false stories in media and without taking views of the president it is carrying his falsehood,” it stated.

“Lahiri accused Bharat Singh and Barua in the meeting of defaming him and has filed a criminal case against both of them. After BCA matters were discussed, the president concluded the proceedings. Any other claims by Bharat Singh or anyone are blatantly illegal,” the release further said.

READ: Indian chess in 2019: Players continue to make strong moves

Chauhan claimed that the decisions taken at the general body meeting called by Raja in Chennai on December 14 were overturned at the Bhopal meet.

The meeting, he said, also, quashed a show-cause notice issued by Raja.

“Everyone present was satisfied with my reply to the show-cause notice and the matter was closed,” he added.

The AICF secretary said the Raja faction’s decision to hold the federation elections on February 10 in Chennai had been overturned and the same would be held in Ahmedabad on February 9 under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.

The Union Sports Ministry had on December 13 directed Raja to cancel the urgent general body meeting he had called on December 14 and warned of action if the Ministry’s directions were not complied with.