The Bengal Chess Association (BCA) ad-hoc committee has removed Atanu Lahiri from the post of secretary over various allegations leveled against him by Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua.
The BCA ad-hoc committee, headed by Atin Sengupta, took the decision on Tuesday as Lahiri did not respond to the show-cause notice issued to him even after 21 days.
“The disciplinary committee has not received any written submission or explanation on the show-cause issued to (sic) defaulting secretary Atanu Lahiri on 2nd of September 2019, and based upon their recommendation the three-member ad-hoc committee has decided to immediately remove Atanu Lahiri from the post of honorary secretary and also to terminate his membership with BCA with immediate effect,” said BCA vice-president Sayan Mukerji in a press release on Tuesday.
The BCA also informed that as per an ex-parte ad interim order of injunction issued on Monday, the court of additional civil judge (junior division), Alipore, has “instructed All India Chess Federation (AICF) and Mr A.N. Reddy, chairman of the AICF enquiry committee, restraining both from issuing any direction on BCA relating to elections.”
The court “has also restrained Lahiri from taking part or act as secretary of BCA” and has directed “BCA and Lahiri to maintain status quo in respect of election activities of the association till 20 Nov 2019.”
Lahiri refrained from commenting on the court order, but took a dig at the BCA ad-hoc panel.
“People have accused us of clinging on to power. We have not tried to overstay even for one day.
“Regarding removing me, we are challenging the existence of the (ad-hoc) body. ..we have a regular BCA. Some people called a meeting in my absence. I am filing a court case against these people. I claim that this meeting is legally incorrect. I was out of station, on National duty. Someone leveled charges against me and even without hearing me they called for a meeting in a hurried manner and expelled me.”
Lahiri justified not responding to the show-cause. “AICF has an enquiry committee and I am answerable to them and I am answerable to the people in general (chess fraternity), but not to people who hold illegal meetings and charge me.
“AICF enquiry is pending and I am cooperating. All clarifications will be given. I am waiting for the right time to come out with an official statement. I can prove that none of the charges have any substance whatsoever,” he said.
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