CHENNAI: The All India Chess Federation (AICF) plans to conduct a forensic audit of its accounts by appointing an external auditor as some papers are missing from its office, interim secretary Ajit Kumar Verma said.
“We found some papers, items missing from the AICF office. It was decided to appoint an external auditor to audit the accounts. If needed, a forensic audit will also be conducted. The payments made will also be examined in the proposed audit.” For different people,” Verma told IANS.
The decision to appoint another audit firm was taken at the AICF Immediate General Body meeting held in Guwahati on December 28.
The meeting was called to discuss matters relating to the election of office bearers, financial position of AICF, various court cases, formation of the legal committee and appointment of law firm Prout Solicitors LLP. Verma said the AICF accounts were audited by audit firm ARSAN & Co.
“If the new auditor is not satisfied with the books, he will also conduct a forensic audit. We are yet to finalize the external auditor who will conduct the audit,” Verma said.
During this, former secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan said that some people are trying to tarnish his image.
“I was the AICF secretary till August 15 and all the accounts of the federation are clean and the same was passed in the annual general meeting,” Chouhan told IANS.
In a letter sent to various chess officials a day after the general body meeting in Guwahati, Chauhan said all the accounts of the AICF are clean and have been passed in the annual general meeting.
The accounts were duly audited by the official auditor who is the auditor of the President of the Federation, Dr. Sanjay Kapoor.
Chauhan said that for the Chess Olympiad held in Chennai, a five-member committee was constituted in the annual general meeting to oversee all the processes of tender and payment.
“I was not a part of any expenditure or allotment of tender to anyone,” he said.
“I have decided to say goodbye to the world of chess administrators; however I will always be there for chess and chess players.”
Confirming that he had sent messages to several chess officials, Chauhan told IANS that he would continue to be an official of the Asian Chess Federation and the Commonwealth Chess Federation as they were elected posts.
According to him, just before the AICF elections, efforts are being made to tarnish his image.
As per the current plan, elections to elect AICF office bearers should be held on or before January 3, 2024, but the election schedule has not been announced till date. Additionally, 21 days’ notice should be given to hold elections as per AICF bylaws, the chess players said.
Verma said that AICF has written a letter to the government asking for time till March this year to conduct elections. He said that one of the two returning officers will be available only after January 5, 2024. Two returning officers will decide on the election. If they decide to proceed with the elections, the election process will continue by giving 2 days’ notice.
