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Updated October 20th, 2019 at 12:10 IST

GM Barua's charges dismissed; now himself accused of 'sabotage'

On a 64-square field, you cannot play a "loose game" without tightening the connects between each of your 'pieces'. Off the 64 square, the rules are still same

Reported by: Suman Ray
GM Barua
| Image:self
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On a 64-square field, you cannot play a "loose game" without tightening the connects between each of your 'pieces'. Off the 64 square, the rules are still the same. This is something which perhaps India's second grandmaster Dibyendu Barua seems to have forgotten and is now caught in his own "loose game". Barua's serious charge of "misappropriation of funds" against Bengal Chess Association secretary Atanu Lahiri neither had any "substantial proof" nor "corroboration of facts" and has been summarily dismissed by All India Chess Federation (AICF) which held the charges "unfound and untrue".

A three-member Enquiry Committee that included Narasimha Reddy, Chairman of Bar Council of Hyderabad High Court, DV Sundar, Vice President of FIDE and Kishore Bandekar, Treasurer of AICF was formed to investigate the allegations of "financial embezzlement" of government funds by Lahiri. The Committee in its report, a copy of which is in possession of Republic TV & is published herewith, has given Lahiri a "clean chit."

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Barua is now accused by Lahiri of "sabotaging" India's cause at the World Cadet Chess Championship held in August-September this year. Lahiri who went as the Indian team coach for the World Cadet Championship was subjected to "undue mental harassment" as charges were allegedly "framed" by Barua when he was on a "national duty". 

 

 

 A hurriedly issued press release by AICF (on Barua's insistence) at a time when Lahiri was on a "national duty"  perhaps contributed to Indian team's disastrous show.

"Yes, that had a direct bearings on team's performance as Mr Lahiri could not fully focus on the championship because of the charges labelled against him during this period. This led to India's worst ever performance at the World Cadet level. It was a highly irresponsible action taken by Mr Barua as he could have waited for Mr Lahiri to come back. This smacks of utter jealousy and vindictiveness," a top official in AICF told Republic TV on condition of anonymity.

Republic TV also got in contacts with the parents (names witheld as it would have repercussion on the young players) of the cadet players who participated in the tournament and expressed similar sentiments. 

"Lahiri is a very good coach and a scholar of the game and has a natural connect with the small budding chess players. But they all found him mentally disturbed by some untimely charges against him which we know are planted. But why at the cost of India's interest?" asked father of a young player. 

Neither of the two parties - Barua or Lahiri were available to make any comments as the matter was "subjudice".

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Published October 20th, 2019 at 10:30 IST

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