A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court, accusing the All India Chess Federation (AICF) of being misused as a personal fiefdom and battleground by certain members.

The petition seeks the suspension of AICF office bearers for alleged violations of the National Sports Code, 2011.

The High Court has issued notices to the AICF and the Union of India, directing them to file their responses within two weeks.

The PIL has been filed by Abhijeet Mondal, a former national-level chess player and licensed coach, and Rajinder Telli, an International FIDE-rated player, FIDE Instructor, and International Arbiter. The petition seeks a writ of mandamus to immediately suspend AICF members and office bearers who are allegedly holding their positions in violation of the Sports Code.

The petition highlights repeated violations of the National Sports Code by the AICF, ignoring guidelines issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It cites the High Court’s judgment in Rahul Mehra vs Union of India, emphasizing that the Sports Code applies to all National Sports Federations (NSFs), including AICF and its constituent state and district associations.

Specific non-compliance by AICF Secretary Dev Patel and Vice Presidents A.K. Raijada, Dibyendu Barua, and Mahaveer Ranka is also alleged. The PIL claims that these office bearers have failed to adhere to the governance standards prescribed by the Sports Code, including rules on age and tenure limits and compliance by state and district associations.

The petition further alleges arbitrary administration within the AICF, citing irregularities in recent elections for the Executive Committee and broader violations of the Sports Code.

The PIL seeks directions to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to conduct fresh elections for a duly qualified Executive Committee. It also requests the appointment of an administrator to manage AICF's day-to-day affairs and proposes forming a committee, headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge, to oversee the implementation of the Sports Code and recommend necessary changes to AICF’s bye-laws.