AIFF terminates its legal head as he alleged President of corruption, former seeking legal aid

Recently, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) terminated its legal head, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee as he accused the Federation President, Lakyan Chaubey of corruption. The latter called these allegations, baseless. In a letter written by Bhattacharjee, mentioned the 'corrupt avenues' of the top management of the organization. Meanwhile, he will be paid one month's salary as agreed in his employment contract.

"... inform you of the AIFF's decision to terminate your engagement as principal legal advisor with immediate effect," AIFF acting secretary general M Satyanarayan wrote in the termination letter on Sunday.

In reply to the termination, Nilanjan said that he could predict his fate and is hoping to find justice and speak out the truth against the alleged ongoing corruption in the federation. Not to forget, the federation was banned in 2022 for a few months, leading up the the U19 FIFA World Cup in India.

"I could foresee the termination letter," he told PTI.

"I am hoping that I find justice in my communications and speaking out the truth about the ongoing corruption in the AIFF."

AIFF president siphoned off money from the federation's exchequer

Bhattacharjee added that the AIFF president allocated numerous broadcasting tenders to one company.

"...through coercion and at his own subservient interest, allotted numerous tenders such as broadcasting of I-League (last season), IWL, Santosh Trophy in favour of one (company; name withheld) which happens to be close to the incumbent president," Bhattacharjee wrote in the letter, which is in possession of PTI.

"Further tenders running into crores were allotted to the same service provider for broadcasting of futsal and other such tournaments," he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was also marked to Home Minister Amit Shah and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.

"Crores of money have been spent by the current president for his personal trips, hotel stays. For his numerous Bangalore trip alone, a conservative estimation of more than Rs 40 lakhs has been spent to fund his business class travel, local conveyance and hotel stays."