Dr. Anand Chatoorgoon, the Director of the Southwest Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), has been found in contempt of court for failing to comply with a prior injunction related to his late mother’s estate. Justice Margaret Mohammed delivered the ruling on October 21, ordering Dr. Chatoorgoon to serve seven days of simple imprisonment. The case revolves around a property located at 12 Jereton Avenue, Coconut Drive, San Fernando, owned by the late Indira Chatoorgoon, who passed away on November 27, 2022. Her daughter, Vitra Rampersad, serves as the administratrix of the estate. In September 2024, Dr. Chatoorgoon was ordered to vacate the property by January 31 and remove religious signs he had installed. However, evidence presented by Rampersad’s attorneys, Kingsley Walesby and Stephanie Rajkumar, revealed that Dr. Chatoorgoon continued to occupy the premises, hold weekly “Satsang” gatherings, and maintain personal belongings there months after the court-ordered deadline. Justice Mohammed ruled that Dr. Chatoorgoon’s actions constituted a “deliberate, calculated, and intentional flouting” of the court’s order, dismissing his claim of misunderstanding the injunction as “disingenuous.” She emphasized that Dr. Chatoorgoon, a highly educated anaesthesiologist with decades of experience in the health sector, fully understood his obligations under the injunction. While the court initially imposed a seven-day prison term, the order was suspended on specific conditions. Dr. Chatoorgoon must remove all personal and religious items from the property by October 31, provide an inventory to Rampersad’s attorney by November 3, and ensure his sister, Mala Maharaj, removes a caveat filed in the estate by October 27. Failure to meet these conditions will result in the imprisonment taking effect on November 10. Dr. Chatoorgoon was also ordered to pay the costs of the contempt application filed on March 13. He was represented by Ernest Koylass, SC, and Debbie Roopchand.
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LATT pushes back on PM’s remarks: ‘We will continue to speak out’
The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) has firmly responded to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s recent criticisms, asserting its constitutional mandate to address matters related to the rule of law and judicial integrity. In a statement issued on October 24, LATT addressed the Prime Minister’s remarks following its commentary on the appointment of the new Chief Justice, Ronnie Boodoosingh. The association emphasized its statutory duty to independently and impartially comment on issues affecting the administration of justice, upholding the highest standards of the legal profession. LATT President Lynette Seebaran-Suite, SC, underscored the importance of respectful public discourse on legal and constitutional matters, particularly among high-ranking officials, to preserve democratic institutions. The association reaffirmed its commitment to serving the public interest and maintaining its dignified role in national life. This response came after Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar launched a scathing critique of LATT, labeling it a “defiled and discredited organisation” and dismissing its concerns about the Chief Justice appointment process. LATT had earlier raised concerns about the “hastened and truncated” procedure, questioning whether proper consultation had occurred as required by the Constitution. Despite logistical challenges caused by the abrupt retirement of former Chief Justice Ivor Archie, LATT maintained that constitutional procedures should not have been bypassed. The controversy deepened as Acting President Wade Mark proceeded with the appointment despite objections from Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, who claimed insufficient consultation time. Senior Counsel Martin Daly also criticized the process, describing it as “botched” and poorly handled, while acknowledging Boodoosingh’s qualifications. Criminal Bar Association President Israel Khan, SC, defended Boodoosingh’s integrity and independence, citing his past refusal to engage in sycophancy during a previous judicial controversy. LATT concluded by vowing to remain undeterred in fulfilling its constitutional role and calling for continued respect for democratic institutions.
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Assembly of Southern Lawyers congratulates new CJ
The Assembly of Southern Lawyers (ASL) has extended its congratulations to Ronnie Boodoosingh on his recent appointment as Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago. The ASL lauded Boodoosingh’s illustrious legal career, which began in 1992 when he was admitted to practice law. He initially worked as an advocate at JD Sellier & Company before transitioning to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as a prosecutor. In 2007, he was appointed to the High Court bench, and in 2020, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal. ASL President Saira Lakhan highlighted Boodoosingh’s dedication, professionalism, and commitment to advancing access to justice, particularly in the southern region. Boodoosingh, who holds a master’s degree in international dispute resolution from the University of London, has also made significant contributions to legal education as a lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law School and as the founder of the Human Rights Law Clinic. The ASL expressed optimism about collaborating with Boodoosingh to strengthen the administration of justice, reduce court backlogs, and enhance public confidence in the judiciary. The assembly also emphasized the importance of reopening and fully operationalizing courts in the southern region, including those in San Fernando. Meanwhile, attorney Prakash Ramadhar reflected on the tenure of outgoing Chief Justice Ivor Archie, who served for 17 years, calling for greater transparency and accountability in judicial appointments. Ramadhar also raised concerns about the current system of judicial appointments, advocating for public scrutiny of those in positions of power. Boodoosingh was officially appointed by acting President Wade Mark, marking a new chapter in Trinidad and Tobago’s judiciary.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Mt Pleasant’s Caribbean Cup return leg semis pushed back
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The highly anticipated return leg semi-final match between Jamaica’s Mt Pleasant FA and Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force FC has been postponed due to the impending threat of Tropical Storm Melissa. Concacaf announced the decision on Friday, citing adverse weather conditions expected to impact Jamaica. The match, originally slated for Wednesday, October 29, in Kingston, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, November 5, with a 6:00 PM kickoff.
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#EyeOnMelissa: NCDA helplines to remain open during hurricane period
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As hurricane season approaches, the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), a division of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has assured the public that its support helplines will remain active despite potential weather-related disruptions. The NCDA acknowledges that severe weather conditions might cause temporary service interruptions but emphasizes that assistance remains accessible through multiple channels.
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#EyeOnMelissa: PM tells police go after persons who prey on telecoms infrastructure
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a stern warning against individuals exploiting the chaos of Tropical Storm Melissa to steal or damage telecommunications equipment. Speaking at a press briefing at Jamaica House on Friday afternoon, Holness emphasized that such acts severely disrupt public safety, government operations, and the economy, warranting the full force of the law. He highlighted the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, where significant theft of fuel and telecoms equipment, rather than the hurricane itself, caused widespread communication outages. Holness reiterated the government’s commitment to amending relevant laws to impose stricter penalties and criminalize these acts. He also directed the security forces, including Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake, to prioritize protecting critical infrastructure during the storm. Holness stressed that those attempting to exploit the disaster for personal gain would face the harshest legal consequences.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Tropical Storm Melissa slowly moving across the Caribbean
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued an urgent warning for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa advances slowly across the Caribbean. The storm is predicted to unleash prolonged severe weather conditions on the island early next week, posing significant risks to life and property.
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Fireworks, scratch bombs blamed for infant’s death
A heart-wrenching tragedy has struck a Chase Village couple, Nicholas Badal and his wife, who are attributing the death of their three-day-old son, Kemani Gordon, to the deafening explosions of fireworks and the failure of law enforcement to intervene. The incident occurred during the Divali celebrations on October 19, when loud fireworks began disrupting their Bholai Street East home as early as 7 am. Badal recounted how the incessant noise caused his newborn to cry uncontrollably throughout the night, describing the ordeal as unbearable. By the early hours of October 21, Kemani had become unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy on October 23 revealed that the infant succumbed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, Dr. Marlon Timmothy, president of the Paediatric Society of TT, suggested that the adrenaline surge triggered by the loud noises could have contributed to a fatal cardiac event. Badal expressed his frustration with the police, stating that multiple calls to the Freeport station and the 999 emergency line went unanswered. He now seeks justice for his son, calling for stricter regulations on fireworks and accountability from law enforcement. The grieving father also appealed for counselling and financial assistance to help the family cope with their devastating loss.
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Government, opposition argue over poui trees, Cepep
The Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives witnessed heated exchanges between government and opposition MPs on October 23 as they deliberated on the 2025/2026 budget. The focus of the debate centered on the allocation of $285,517,600 for the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, alongside contentious discussions on expenditure for planting poui trees and the termination of the Cepep program. Trade, Investment and Tourism Minister Kama Maharaj outlined a $1 million initiative to beautify highways by planting poui trees, drawing parallels to similar projects in Japan involving cherry blossoms. He suggested involving volunteers and school children in the effort, prompting Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland to question whether children would be paid for their participation. Scotland also criticized the government for dismissing former Cepep workers who could have been retained for such initiatives, leading to tense exchanges in the chamber. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo had previously announced the termination of Cepep and URP in his October 13 budget presentation, proposing a $475 million Employment Fund to replace these programs with full-time, better-paid jobs. Social Development Minister Vandana Mohit and Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath indicated that former Cepep workers could apply for jobs through the National Recruitment Drive. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles raised concerns about potential political patronage in the new unemployment fund, questioning its fairness and transparency.
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NGC finds alternative CO2 for beverages amid Nutrien shutdown
The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) has successfully secured alternative sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) for the food and beverage industry, following the abrupt shutdown of Nutrien, the primary supplier. The announcement, made on October 24, comes in response to widespread concern over potential disruptions to CO2 supplies, which are critical for various domestic and industrial applications. Nutrien’s closure on October 20 had sparked fears of a shortage, particularly affecting Massy Gas Products Trinidad Ltd, the main distributor of CO2 to local manufacturers. NGC has collaborated with key stakeholders, including Proman Group and Plipdeco, to ensure a seamless transition. Proman has committed to supplying the same volume of CO2 previously provided by Nutrien, with no price increases for customers. Engineering pipeline tie-ins are currently being installed, with completion expected by October 27. NGC expressed regret over Nutrien’s indifference to the potential hardships caused by its shutdown but emphasized that the crisis has been averted. Meanwhile, former Energy Minister Stuart Young criticized the government’s handling of the situation, accusing it of aggressive tactics that led to Nutrien’s closure and warning of broader regional impacts on CO2-dependent industries.