On Sunday, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) took action to terminate the services of its principal legal advisor, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, after he levelled serious corruption allegations against President Kalyan Chaubey, who dismissed them as baseless. Bhattacharjee had penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.
Bhattacharjee accused Chaubey of orchestrating corrupt practices, alleging preferential treatment in tender processes and misappropriation of AIFF funds for personal gain. He claimed that tenders, including those for broadcasting I-League, IWL, and Santosh Trophy, were unfairly awarded to a company associated with the president.
“…through coercion and at his own subservient interest, allotted numerous tenders such as broadcasting of I-League (last season), IWL, Santosh Trophy in favour of one (company; name withheld) which happens to be close to the incumbent president,” Bhattacharjee wrote in the letter.
Nilanjan Bhattacharjee levies more allegations on AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey:
Moreover, he asserted that large sums were spent on Chaubey’s personal trips and accommodations, amounting to over Rs 40 lakhs for trips to Bangalore alone.
“Crores of money have been spent by the current president for his personal trips, hotel stays. For his numerous Bangalore trip alone, a conservative estimation of more than Rs 40 lakhs has been spent to fund his business class travel, local conveyance and hotel stays.” it added.
Despite Chaubey dismissing the allegations as baseless and threatening legal action, Bhattacharjee stood firm, emphasizing that his tenure was extended under Chaubey’s leadership but he was prepared for termination.
Earlier, Bhattacharjee had raised concerns over delayed payments from AIFF, which were eventually settled. Bhattacharjee’s accusations, sent in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and copied to Home Minister Amit Shah and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, cast a shadow over the integrity of AIFF’s leadership.
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