BCA condemns three-member AICF equiry committee’s action on Atanu Lahiri

The Bengal Chess Association (BCA) ad-hoc committee has strongly criticised the unilateral decision taken by the three-member All India Chess Federation (AICF) enquiry committee in favour of the BCA secretary Atanu Lahiri. The BCA had removed Lahiri from the post of secretary over various allegations leveled against him by Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua on September 2.

BCA vice-president Sayan Mukerji said the AICF panel deliberately bypassed the recommendations of the BCA and went ahead with its job even when the matter is in the Alipore sub-divisional court and awaiting a final decision. 

“It is also strange that the three-member AICF committee deliberately bypassed the recommendations of the BCA ad-hoc committee and the BCA disciplinary committee enquiry and their subsequent recommendation for suspension of Atanu Lahiri from his existing position of secretary as well as membership from BCA,” said Mukerji said to Sportstar in a statement on Monday.

“The recommendations of the biased and vested three-member AICF disciplinary committee was taken on October 9 and submitted to president, AICF, on the next day i.e. October 10. It was supposed to be discussed on October 15 in the Central Council meeting of AICF as per agenda. The Bengal issue was not discussed as the matter is sub-judice. But on October 17, the report was circulated by AICF to all State associations. How can this be done in a sub-judice matter?”

Mukerji, however, added AICF mentioned in a mail that all discussion and necessary actions regarding the Lahiri issue will be taken in the next Central Council meeting of AICF.

“AICF has not yet given a ‘clean chit’ to Lahiri and all other representations by vested parties are incorrect and invalid.”