Indian chess chief urges impartial probe into BCA mess

Stressing that the All India Chess Federation (AICF) should act impartially, its president P.R. Venkatarama Raja on Tuesday said secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan "went beyond the brief" while issuing a press statement regarding the allegations levelled by Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua against Bengal Chess Association (BCA) secretary Atanu Lahiri.

Raja said he had agreed that a press release be issued, saying players' interest would be protected and the matter would be investigated.

According to Raja, the press release issued by Chauhan created 'unnecessary emotions.'

"It is important that we in the AICF be seen as impartial till all allegations are verified and a chance is given to all parties. I see some members of the BCA have already called a meeting to initiate action against Lahiri even before the AICF has done the investigation,” Raja said in a statement.

To put an end to this impasse, Raja directed the BCA to hold its annual general meeting and conduct its elections under the supervision of an AICF-appointed committee in early October.

Raja nominated a three-member committee, comprising senior AICF office-bearers A. Narasimha Reddy (chairman), D.V. Sundar and Kishor Bhandekar, to oversee the election process, probe the complaints made by Barua against Lahiri and submit a report within three months.