The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Madras HC restrains AICF (TN) from collecting funds

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Thursday, Feb 16, 2006

Sport

Sport - Chess

Madras HC restrains AICF (TN) from collecting funds

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The All India Chess Federation (AICF), registered in Tamil Nadu, has been restrained by the Madras High Court from collecting any funds from the Government or any other bodies or players in its capacity as a "valid registered society."

Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla granted the interim injunction on a writ petition filed by the Chhattisgarh State Chess Association, challenging a show-cause notice for disaffiliation issued to it by the Federation.

In his petition, the Chhattisgarh State Chess Association general secretary, Vinod Kumar Rathi, said his forum was sought to be disaffiliated as it had been caught in a cross-fire between the AICF registered in Kerala and the one bearing the same name but registered in Tamil Nadu.

Lamenting that there was utter chaos and confusion amongst various regional units, the petitioner said the AICF registered in Tamil Nadu had become defunct and that it ceased to exist.

"The AICF (Tamil Nadu), which claimed to be the representative of chess in the country, is not a society recognised in law and its name has already been struck off from the register of societies as early as on November 13, 2005," Mr. Rathi said.

He said a dissolved society could not continue to function and could not, in any event, receive any contribution of funds or take any action against other State units. He also contended that already large sums of money had been collected by the defunct forum and its office-bearers by way of grant-in-aid, sponsorship, players fees and entry fees.

He prayed for an injunction restraining the Tamil Nadu-registered AICF or its agents or office-bearers from taking action against the Chhattisgarh unit.

He also prayed for a direction to initiate steps to wind up the Tamil Nadu-registered AICF and restrain its administrators from seeking funds.

Granting interim stay, Mr. Justice Kalifulla ordered notices, returnable in two weeks, to the Tamil Nadu Commercial Taxes Secretary, the Inspector-General of Registration and others.

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