Top Court allows present Secretary of the All India Chess Federation to continue till 15th August

A vacation bench of Justices M R Shah and Aniruddha Ghose took note of the very fact that India is to host 44th World Chess Olympiad which is to require place from July 2 to August 10.

The Supreme Court allows Bharat Singh Chauhan, whose election as Secretary of All India Chess Federation has been stayed by Delhi court, to continue discharge his duties till Assumption of Mary.

Chauhan is that the Olympiad Tournament Director.

A vacation bench of Justices M R Shah and Aniruddha Ghose took note of the actual fact that India is to host the 44th World Chess Olympiad which is to require place from July 2 to August 10 and allowed Chauhan to continue till Assumption of Mary and directed the Delhi judicature to come to a decision the matter finally and said, "For us national interest is first then comes everything else."

During the hearing, the petitioner represented by senior advocate Maninder Singh said, "The court hasn't considered the facts in totality. The federation is organising a global event in July and August which might be attended by the Prime Minister of India and if the secretary of the federation won't be there, it won't look good for the country."

Opposing the plea, the counsel for the respondent told the bench that, "As per the National sports development code, nobody can hold the post of President/Secretary/Treasurer continuously for quite two turns. Further, for re-election, an office bearer shall only be deemed to possess been elected if he/she secures a majority of not but 2/3rd of the members of the National Federation concerned and contended that Chauhan has been running the AICF for the past about 17 years. While contesting for re-election as AICF Secretary for 2020-2023, Chauhan got 35 votes, which isn't 2/3 of the full votes polled."

Taking note of all the submissions, the bench directed the Centre and Appellant file a close affidavit before the division bench of tribunal within a period of 4 weeks from today.

Thereafter, the Division bench of the judicature will pass a fresh order including the grant of any interim order after giving a chance to all or any.

"As it's reported that India is holding a prestigious chess Olympiad within the country (August 2022) and therefore the same isn't affected in any manner, we direct the appellant to be continued as a secretary of the federation till holy day of obligation, 2022, by way of interim arrangement. However, such continuance are going to be without prejudice to the rights and contention of parties," the order stated.