Under-fire All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey, in a letter to member associations and executive committee members, gave a detailed rebuttal to the corruption allegations thrown at him, stating it was all part of a ‘concerted and systematic effort’ to malign him before the AIFF’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) this month.
Not surprisingly, Chaubey, who is a BJP leader, also raised the bogey of a political conspiracy at play ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In his nine-page letter that was also shared with the media, Chaubey said he had sent a defamation notice to Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, who was sacked as AIFF’s principal legal head on Sunday, after he claimed that the AIFF president had worked out “corruption avenues” through a non-transparent tender process and preferential allotment of tender. Bhattacharjee also alleged that Chaubey made attempts to “siphon off money from the federation’s exchequer” and used AIFF funds for personal expenses.
Chaubey went on to address the different points on which corruption allegations had been made against him.
IndiGo contract
Chaubey dismissed the allegation that a contract unfavourable to AIFF was entered into with Indigo airlines with corrupt intent. He wrote, “The idea of the partnership with IndiGo was that of barter, to promote Indian Football through Indigo’s various mediums (like outdoor hoardings, inflight magazines, social media, videos, images) and vice-versa. A general Corporate 10% discount on all tickets we purchased was a part of the proposition.
“There is no potential financial implication or possible loss to AIFF from the arrangement and any allegations in that respect are totally unfounded and fictitious. The terms have also been approved by FSDL and there is no situation in which either AIFF or FSDL would approve a deal that causes loss rather than benefit to AIFF. It is a particularly outrageous allegation, with a reputed and prominent air carrier involved, and seems to be an attempt to block the deal from going through.”
Production Tenders
Bhattacharjee had alleged that Chaubey awarded the I-League (2022-23) broadcast tenders to a company ‘through coercion and at his subservient interest.’
Answering the questions raised about the production tenders, Chaubey wrote that the I-League production companies were finalised after a joint evaluation between the AIFF and FSDL.
“It would be pertinent to request a report from FSDL on the technical evaluation process and as to why KPS Studio was chosen,” he wrote.
“On both occasions, Advocate Nilanjan Bhattacharjee was part of the Tender Selection and not once did he raise query on the Tender Selection and Award Process. I have asked the Acting Secretary General (M. Satyanarayan) to get all the relevant documents pertaining to Tender of issuance of work order for any purpose on behalf of the AIFF.”
“Apart from I-league broadcast, there were two more instances of match production tenders a. Futsal and Santosh Trophy b. Hero IWL On both occasions Advocate Nilanjan Bhattacharjee was part of the Tender Selection Committee and not once did he raise query on the Tender Selection and Award Process.”
Dummy Cameras
The AIFF president addressed the allegations raised on the usage of dummy cameras by the production teams by stating that he has asked the AIFF acting secretary-general to request the match details of the games where the dummy cameras were allegedly in use.
On the allegation of dummy cameras being used for broadcasting, Chaubey said he is appointing a Technical Committee to view the recording and take necessary steps. He added, “That being said, it is difficult to understand why Bhattacharjee never brought this to anyone’s notice over the last almost 15 months if he was privy to such information, leading to serious questions about his credibility, complicity and motives.”
Sharing legal retainership fees
Chaubey pointed out instances where he saved money for the AIFF by flying ‘economy class’ and staying in ‘standard rooms’ when the president of the federation is entitled to fly ‘business class’ and to stay in ‘suites’.
He also claimed that he never claimed a single rupee from the Rs. 10,000 he is eligible to receive from the AIFF as his per diem during his travel and meeting.
Credit card and financial management
Chaubey stressed that he has never used the AIFF credit card to buy shoes or any other personal items as Bhattacharjee had alleged. He added, “I have asked our internal auditors Deloitte to be present in the EC meeting/ AGM. They will be happy address any queries regarding financial management of AIFF and to allay any doubts.”
Threatening conduct
Bhattacharjee claimed that when he suggested safeguards in subsequent tenders, Chaubey attempted to “malign” his image and professional integrity.
In response, Chaubey said, “It is completely false propaganda.”
Interference with judicial bodies
Chaubey wrote, “I have done nothing to favour any club, whether those owned by members of the ExCo or any other club. As for the matter relating to Churchill Brothers which is implied in the allegation, all ExCo members are aware of the request made by Ms. Valanka Alemao and the circumstances around that decision that was subsequently taken by the judicial body.”
Personal trips
Regarding his travel to 25 States/UT out of 36 Member Associations., Chaubey explained, “Most of my meetings either helped Member Associations to get their respective States to renovate or get new stadiums or football fields (natural or artificial) or to get full or partial financial support to host NFC or the National Camp.”
On his international trips, he pointed out that each of his travel has helped India benefitting from a FIFA initiative, including the rebranding of the Santosh Trophy and the launch of the FIFA AIFF academy last November.
