Liquidator blocks HCU bid to seize Chaguanas radio station

Attorneys representing liquidator Ramdath Dave Rampersad on Monday convinced a judge to temporarily halt action by the president of the Hindu Credit Union (HCU) to take control of the Chaguanas based "U Radio", which is operated by Anand and Ingrid Rampersadsingh.

Harry Harnarine is claiming ownership of the radio station which operated previously as a part of HCU communications as Radio Shakti. 

The HCU boss and his lawyers had planned to make an application for summary judgment when the liquidator made a surprise intervention and asked the court’s leave to challenge Harnarine and HCU Communication’s intended control of the radio station. 

Rampersad and his accounting firm were appointed on July 23, 2008 to take over and manage the affairs of the HCU to the extent necessary to maintain the value of its assets.

Justice Carol Gobin allowed the request and ordered that the attorneys file submissions supporting their application.

Harnarine and HCU had gone had filed a lawsuit at the Port-of-Spain High Court against the Rampersadsinghs and their company, Upward Trend Entertainment, claiming there was an agreement for the purchase of 75 per cent of Upward Trend.

They said that majority shareholding gave them control of the radio station. The HCU team argued that after the liquidator was appointed Upward Trend removed the station - Radio Shakti - from the HCU’s Chaguanas office and changed its name.

The matter has been adjourned to March 31.