The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is considering disciplinary action against its former secretary, Bharat Singh Chauhan. This follows Chauhan’s denial of the existence of allegedly missing documents related to his tenure. The AICF has initiated a disciplinary process against Chauhan, along with former officials Naresh Sharma, Dr. Vipnesh Bhardwaj, and AK Verma.
Chauhan was issued a show cause notice on August 5th, demanding the submission of documents from his time as secretary, which ended in 2022. He, along with Verma, has denied the existence of any missing documents. However, Chauhan has escalated the situation by lodging a formal complaint with the AICF Ethics Committee against Secretary Dev Patel. Chauhan accuses Patel of disregarding established rules and procedures within the federation.
Despite being bedridden, Chauhan asserts his intention to pursue legal action alongside other members affected by this process. He criticizes the AICF’s decision to appoint Verma as Head of Operations just four days after issuing him a show cause notice, highlighting what he perceives as inconsistencies and power plays within the federation.
While acknowledging Chauhan’s right to his opinion, a senior AICF official confirmed that the federation is obligated to assess the situation and consider potential disciplinary actions. Additionally, sources suggest that apart from the missing documents, the allocation of funds, particularly during the 2022 Chess Olympiad tenders, is under scrutiny. Dr. Bhardwaj, another former secretary, has declined to comment but confirmed his intention to address the situation appropriately.
The AICF’s Special General Body Meeting, scheduled for September 12th, will discuss the disciplinary proceedings against Chauhan and other former officials. This meeting is expected to shed further light on the federation’s approach to the allegations and potential consequences for the individuals involved.
