New Delhi : After the bosses of the All India Chess federation (AICF) virtually ignored his serious corruption charges against one of their officials, Arjuna awardee and India’s second Grandmaster, Dibyendu Barua has now shot off a letter to Union Sports minister Kiren Rijiju urging him to take action so that “people with conflict of interest and having done corruption should not hold any post in sports organisations”.In his letter to the Sports minister, Barua has levelled serious charges of corruption against Bengal Chess Association (BCA) secretary, Atanu Lahiri, who is also members of the AICF trainer’s committee. Barua has accused Lahiri of diverting huge amount of fund received from the state government to his own chess coaching company, Global Chess, saying it was clear case of conflict of interest. “The amount received from the Government has been used by the partners of said Global Chess Foundation mostly for other purposes, which are contrary to the fulfilment of the objectives for which the fund is given. Details of transactions in the year 2018-19 as has been available to me, which I believe to be authentic, is enclosed herewith for your ready reference,” he said. Barua also accused Lahiri of not allowing him to hold an annual youth tournament and banning two of India top players, Grandmaster Surya Sekhar Ganguly and Deep Sen Gupta, from taking part in Bengal Chess events.“Bengal Chess Association had organised National Team Championship in February, 2019 at ICCR, Kolkata. Grandmasters Surya Sekhar Ganguly and Deep Sengupta, who were participants in this tournament, had expressed their discontent on the quality of organisation of this event to “Chessbase India”, which is a leading digital media that covers chess news in India and abroad.In retaliation to this, Mr Atanu Lahiri had verbally instructed the Committee members of BCA not to invite these Grandmasters as Guests to any of their official tournaments. Moreover, he had also threatened the Chessbase India correspondent with dire consequences in the event he covers any chess tournament in Bengal, Wrote Barua.Lahiri also barred under-9 national girls’ champion Sneha Haldar from playing in a tournament on disciplinary grounds.On Barua complaint the West Bengal government has banned fund flow to Global Chess Foundation, but the AICF has turned deaf ear to Barua’s demand that Lahiri should be placed under suspension and probe held against him.The AICF did form a three-member committee, which has issued a directive to Lahiri to conduct the election of state chess association in October. But the committee is silent on any action against Lahiri.“Ultimately, in the interest of Bengal Chess, I had suggested to the Hon’ble Minister of the concerned department ( West Bengal) that the project be transferred to Bengal Chess Association from Global Chess Foundation for better management and transparency. Accordingly the project has been transferred,” Barua wrote.In his letter Barua writes that when Lahiri leant of Barua’s meeting with the state minister and transfer of the chess project from the Global Chess foundation, he tried to derail — “Chess For Youth” event.Organized by Barua’s chess academy, ‘The Chess For Youth’ is a popular chess tournament in which nearly 1000 school children take part.“This year I had requested for necessary permission as required from Bengal Chess Association for organising the 13th edition of this event on November 2 and 3. Mr Lahiri had verbally granted permission and also included this event in the chess calendar of BCA. I had also received event code from AICF after submitting necessary fees,” Barua wrote.
Barua added that after he flagged the issue of corruption by Lahiri and misappropriation of Govt fund, Lahiri removed the said tournament from Bengal Chess Association’s tournament calendar and also instructed All India Chess Federation not to grant permission for the said event.“Apprehending my further resistance to his continuous financial embezzlement, Mr Lahiri misused his power as Secretary of Bengal Chess Association in order to satisfy his personal scores against me. I am enclosing herewith the exchange of emails between AICF, Mr Lahiri and myself regarding this event for your information,” he wrote. When contacted for his reaction, Barua told The Pioneer that he will continue with his crusade to clean up chess and hoped that the AICF will take suitable action to punish Lahiri.
