Bharat Singh Chauhan to continue as secretary of All India Chess Federation till 15 August: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court in the case Bharat Singh Chauhan v Ravinder Singh observed that and allowed Bharat Singh Chauhan to continue as the Secretary of All India Chess Federation till 15 August 2022, as an interim agreement. The vacation bench comprising of Justice MR Shah and the Justice Aniruddha Bose observed and permitted Chauhan to discharge the duties while taking into consideration the 44th World Chess Olympiad as it is to be held from the month of July 2 to August 10 in India. The bench in its order said that it is reported from 28.7.2022 to Aug 10, 2022, the nation is holding a prestigious Chess Olympiad in the Country and further in any manner, the same is not affected. The bench further directed the appellant to be continued as Sec of the Federation till Aug 15. 2022 by interim arrangement only. In the appeal before the High Court, the same shall be without the rights of the parties and subject to further order that may be passed by the DB within the time stipulated herein above. Within the same, Thereafter, the plea is disposed above. The bench comprising of Justice Najim Waziri and the justice Vikas Mahajan observed the directions were issued by the Top Court while considering the SLP assailing Delhi High Court’s interim order dated June 2, 2022., while staying Chauhan’s election as the Secretary of the Federation. The Counsel appearing for Chauhan submitted that the order is passed in haste by the Division Bench of the High Court and the Union Government and the appellant was either given any opportunity. The Counsel further argued that the Single Judge had rejected the interim relief at that stage and the question with regards to injunction was yet to be considered and further it was contended that the main writ petition is yet to be considered by the Single Judge and the same was yet not maintainable. The counsel for Ravindra Dongre, on the other hand argued on the manner in which the election was conducted in which the appellant was elected the Secretary to submit that the High Court has not committed any error. While disposing of the appeal the bench asked them to file a detailed affidavit before the division bench of the High Court within a period of 4 weeks by the Union Of Indian And Chauhan. The bench further granted the interim relief of reinstating Chauhan till August 15. The Top Court directed the division bench to pass a fresh order including the grant of any interim order after giving opportunity to all concerned within period of 4 weeks thereafter.