AICF secretary Chauhan removed, chess mess continues

CHENNAI: The All India Chess Federation (AICF) secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan had to vacate his post after the Delhi High Court on Monday said he cannot continue. He was ineligible to hold the post after a June 2 order that termed his election invalid on the ground of flouting the sports code. However, because of the Chess Olympiad, Supreme Court had allowed him to continue until August 15.

On Tuesday, the AICF held an urgent virtual general body meeting and endorsed the appointment of Vipnesh Bharadwaj, an international arbiter, as the interim secretary.

“As per court order, Bharat Singh Chauhan had to vacate his post and the AICF president (Sanjay Kapoor) had named him the secretary on Monday and as per the constitution, Bharadwaj’s name needed to be endorsed by the general body,” said Naresh Sharma, the treasurer of AICF.

“We held an urgent GB meeting today and vetted the interim arrangement,” he added.

However, the matter gets complicated with Ravindra Dongre of Maharashtra claiming to be the legitimate person to hold the post of secretary after Chauhan had vacated the post. “I should be the secretary after Chauhan was asked to go,” he told this newspaper. “I have already written to the president and other members that Chauhan’s tenure had ended on August 15 and I assumed charge from August 16.”

According to a letter by Dongre sent to members, he said the appointment of any other person would be in violation of the court order and contempt. He also argues in the letter that since he has already assumed charge as secretary, the GB meeting was not legal. He said they have followed the sports code.

The Delhi High Court had said on June 2 that Chauhan had violated the sports code and could not continue. The AICF treasurer, however, said that Dongre cannot be a secretary as he is not part of any state. “So his letters do not have any locus standi,” he said.

Full story: newindianexpress.com

CHENNAI: The All India Chess Federation (AICF) secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan had to vacate his post after the Delhi High Court on Monday said he cannot continue. He was ineligible to hold the post after a June 2 order that termed his election invalid on the ground of flouting the sports code. However, because of the Chess Olympiad, Supreme Court had allowed him to continue until August 15. On Tuesday, the AICF held an urgent virtual general body meeting and endorsed the appointment of Vipnesh Bharadwaj, an international arbiter, as the interim secretary. “As per court order, Bharat Singh Chauhan had to vacate his post and the AICF president (Sanjay Kapoor) had named him the secretary on Monday and as per the constitution, Bharadwaj’s name needed to be endorsed by the general body,” said Naresh Sharma, the treasurer of AICF. “We held an urgent GB meeting today and vetted the interim arrangement,” he added. However, the matter gets complicated with Ravindra Dongre of Maharashtra claiming to be the legitimate person to hold the post of secretary after Chauhan had vacated the post. “I should be the secretary after Chauhan was asked to go,” he told this newspaper. “I have already written to the president and other members that Chauhan’s tenure had ended on August 15 and I assumed charge from August 16.” According to a letter by Dongre sent to members, he said the appointment of any other person would be in violation of the court order and contempt. He also argues in the letter that since he has already assumed charge as secretary, the GB meeting was not legal. He said they have followed the sports code. The Delhi High Court had said on June 2 that Chauhan had violated the sports code and could not continue. The AICF treasurer, however, said that Dongre cannot be a secretary as he is not part of any state. “So his letters do not have any locus standi,” he said. Full story: newindianexpress.com