(Trinidad Express) Vice-chairman of Caribbean Airlines (CAL) and WinTV executive chairman Mohan Jaikaran was hospitalised in New York, USA, following “heart complications.”
Sunil Ramdeen, WinTV’s general manger, confirmed that Jaikaran had complications relating to his heart but he is now at his New York-based home.
Ramdeen explained that Jaikaran had heart issues for some time—he suffered a stroke last year and underwent triple by-pass surgery earlier this year.
Ramdeen observed that there were still some complications and Jaikaran went for periodic check-ups.
On Wednesday, CAL chairman Rabindra Moonan had told the Express Jaikaran had missed CAL’s marathon board meeting on Wednesday because he had medical check-ups to attend to.
Jaikaran’s request for 19 tax-free tickets from the airline which he’s tasked with governance for artistes to perform at a concert which he hosted in Toronto, Canada, and New York last weekend has cast doubt on his suitability for his vice-chair post as it posed a conflict of interest.
Moonan had told the Express he was cognisant of the public’s negative opinion on Jaikaran’s request for upgrade for certain passengers but as far as he’s concerned, that’s a “non-issue” and “certain board decision are taken to ensure there is no apparent conflict of interest”.
Jaikaran has not publicly commented on the tickets or upgrade issue.
Moonan has placed the responsibility for approval of those requests on CAL’s management.
In January 2012, High Court Judge Joan Charles had ruled in favour of a company which claimed Jaikaran was guilty of a breach of fiduciary duties and oppressive management of WinTV and the claimants—Tsidkenu Investment Corporation and Neil Seepersad—were entitled to compensation.
Seepersad had claimed he invested some $9.2 million in WinTV, which Jaikaran refused to reimburse.
In March this year, Charles ordered that Jaikaran pay out more than $10 million and remove his name from the television station’s broadcast licence.
Following Charles’s judgment, former president of the Hindu Credit Union (HCU), Harry Harnarine, had his attorney, Farid Scoon, write to the Integrity Commission calling for an investigation whether Jaikaran was fit to hold public office. Harnarine has three legal battles with Jaikaran of a similar nature.
The Express was unable to contract Jaikaran by cellphone yesterday.
