Nilanjan Bhattacharjee sends counter defamation notice to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey

Kalyan Chaubey had previously sued Nilanjan Bhattacharjee for making unsubstantiated allegations against him.

In response to the defamation notice sent to him by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, former legal head of the federation, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee has denied the allegations and has now sent a counter defamation notice. Bhattacharjee’s detailed response, spread across six pages and accessed by Khel Now, addresses each allegation made by Chaubey in-depth.

In his letter-cum-notice, Bhattacharjee refutes the accusations of tarnishing Chaubey’s image, stating, “I deny and dispute that my acts have in any way brought about disrepute and/or are deliberate attempts to malign your image in any manner.

“I stand by the statements made in public welfare and sincerely hope that a thorough investigation will be conducted by appropriate bodies to highlight and root out the corruption perpetrated by you in complete disregard of the health of Indian football.”

Bhattacharjee further alleges that he was coerced by the President into submitting his resignation, which led to the tarnishing of his image and integrity. He states in his letter, “On the contrary, several attempts have been made by you to malign my reputation, questioning my integrity, constant and deliberate attempts to harass me and coerce me to submit my resignation. You did make extensive attacks on my professional integrity, statements made in public to demean and undermine my professional achievements have been a fairly common occurrence.”

Demands of Bhattacharjee

In his letter, Bhattacharjee demanded several actions from Kalyan Chaubey, including an apology to the Indian football fraternity, financial compensation and retraction of defamatory statements.

In this regard Bhattacharjee’s letter demands, “That you must serve an apology statement to the entire Indian football fraternity for your corruptive practices which has greatly damaged the reputation and integrity of Indian football;

“That you immediately within 10 days of receipt of this letter deposit an amount to the tune of Rs. 20,00,00,000 (Indian Rupees Twenty Crores Only) towards damages and loss accrued to the accounts of AIFF due to your self-serving acts, in the official bank account of AIFF;

“That you immediately retract and/or withdraw the defamatory and false allegations made against me through your letter dated March 5, 2024.

“That any other defamatory and/or false statement made against myself will push me to take strict legal actions besides what is already mentioned as per above.”

On Indigo deal

Furthermore, Bhattacharjee gave his clarification on the Indigo airlines deal where he claimed that the AIFF did not sign the ‘lopsided’ agreement after his intervention. He further stated, “I would like to remind you that the very reason why AIFF did not enter into the said lopsided agreement was my reluctance to give consent to the same.

“The lopsided nature of the said agreement in the form of a huge Minimum Guarantee commitment, absolute content creation rights with limited license to AIFF, all-expense paid social media trips at the behest of AIFF, among some were rejected by AIFF legal since the same were not in the interest of AIFF. Further, such  huge financial commitment was made at your direction without obtaining consent or even view of any appropriate body in AIFF.”

On Tenders

Despite Chaubey’s claims that Bhattacharjee did not raise such concerns, the former legal head has reasserted that he had flagged issues regarding conduct and billing practices of an allotee in the past as well. The former AIFF legal head stated that warnings were issued regarding the allotee’s actions, yet payments totaling crores were released by key figures, including treasurer Kipa Ajay and current Deputy Secretary General, M. Satyanarayan. Despite objections from AIFF legal and the core committee, payments were made to the allotee, Bhattacharjee alleges.

“…it remains a matter of record that, in spite of concerns raised by AIFF legal, the-then incumbent SG, the Core Committee, at numerous instances, both Mr. Kipa Ajay and the now incumbent Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Satyanarayan released payment to the tune of crores in favour of the said same allotee.”

On Chaubey’s lifestyle

Bhattacharjee aggressively questioned Chaubey’s lifestyle and asked how he could afford a house in a posh Locality in Kolkata with no substantial source of income, citing the affidavits submitted by the AIFF boss during the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 assembly elections.

He said, “…the standard of your simplicity is indeed very attractive and I sincerely pray that all may have such simple standards as yours.

“Use of Mont Blanc pens, Louis Vitton shoes, extensive foreign trips, are indeed indicators of a simple lifestyle. In this regard, I would request you to clarify as to the fact that, while your affidavits filed before the erstwhile Lok Sabha and West Bengal Vidhan Sabha elections reflect no substantial source of revenue and/or earning, then how are you able to afford such perks? Further the issue of availing a 2500+ sqft apartment in a posh locality, with extensively done up interiors also needs to be looked at.”

Accommodation to Kipa Ajay

Bhattacharjee shed light on the expenses which are paid from AIFF’s purse as rental charges for the AIFF treasurer. He claims in his letter, “Mr. Kipa Ajay has himself created liability for AIFF by renting a furnished 4 bedroom flat in Delhi at a substantial cost. He has hired a full-time chef paid by the AIFF and also forced the AIFF to spend on furnishing the flat.

“Though AIFF had earlier arranged for a shared accommodation for the said esteemed Treasurer with the Technical Director as the Treasurer is expected to visit Delhi 3-7 days every month and investing in a specific fully-furnished flat and required manpower is more than 15 lakhs annually, hence it did not make financial sense. It has to be noted that his flat is used to accommodate persons completely unconnected with football, who helm from his native place and from across India which in turn entails substantial cost for AIFF.”

Conclusion of Letter: Bhattacharjee’s fight for justice

Before ending the letter, he made an emotional plea where he reminded Chaubey of his duties as a president and how he is answerable to the Indian football fraternity.

“I would again like to sincerely remind you that contrary to your lengthy self-centered and self-appreciative assertions, the growth of Indian football is due to the sole credit of its players, coaches, referees, ground support staff, each and every employee of AIFF, football press, fans and well-wishers,” Bhattacharjee’s letter began, pulling no punches.

He continued, “Hence, making assertions and assuming that the growth of Indian football is solely due to your services is a grossly exaggerated and self-centered submission and a very selfish act on your part, which perhaps requires strict professional introspection.”

The letter didn’t stop there. Bhattacharjee went on to express his hope that his missive to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Hon’ble Home Minister, and the Hon’ble Sports Minister would draw attention to the ‘despicable state of Indian football’ allegedly perpetuated by Chaubey. He urged action to ensure Indian football could regain its upward trajectory.

Bhattacharjee made his intentions clear to pursue justice through legal avenues, not just for himself but for the entire sports and football fraternity, both nationally and internationally. “Further, I shall be taking appropriate legal measures to bring justice not only to my citing but also towards the entire sports and football fraternity, nationally and internationally.”

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