Football
AIFF legal head accuses president Chaubey of corruption, writes letter to PM
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey rubbished the allegations as 'baseless' and will take legal action against former legal head of the federation.
FILE PHOTO: Kalyan Chaubey became the AIFF president in September 2022.
All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Principal legal advisor Nilanjan Bhattacharjee accused President Kalyan Chaubey of corruption on Saturday.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhattacharjee said Chaubey worked out "corruption avenues" through the non-transparent tender process and preferential allotment of tender.
"...through coercion and at his 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, which has PTI.
"Further tenders running into crores were allotted to the same service provider for broadcasting of futsal and other such tournaments," he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was also marked to Home Minister Amit Shah and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
Nilanjan also claimed that Chaubey made attempts to take money off AIFF's exchequer and used the funds for personal expenses.
When Bhattacharjee suggested safeguards in subsequent tenders, Chaubey attempted to "malign" his image and professional integrity.
"Crores of money have been spent by the current president for his trips, and hotel stays. For his numerous Bangalore trips alone, a conservative estimation of more than Rs 40 lakhs has been spent to fund his business class travel, local conveyance, and hotel stays."
When contacted by PTI, Chaubey said he had gone through the allegations and would take legal action. "All these (allegations) are baseless. I will reply legally," Chaubey said.
Bhattacharjee said he was appointed after Chaubey took charge as AIFF head in September 2022 and his tenure was extended recently.
"My first tenure ended in October last year. It got extended by another year after that. But I would not care if I am terminated from my job," he told PTI.
Bhattacharjee had earlier alleged that the AIFF did not pay him his retainer ship sum for a couple of months last year but later got it.
