Dhanraj Singh’s father dies

ROOPNARINE SINGH, 65, father of former UNC Local Government Minister Dhanraj Singh, died at St Clair Medical Centre at around 12.30 am yesterday. Singh was admitted to the medical facility two weeks ago after complaining of chest pains. He was subsequently diagnosed as suffering from a lung infection. Dhanraj Singh told Newsday  his father suffered from a variety of medical conditions and had successfully undergone kidney transplant surgery in Pakistan last November. Singh’s mother Sheila, described her husband’s death as “shocking,” saying he was due to return to his Tateco Avenue, Reform home yesterday. “His passing was not expected at all and the entire family is still shocked by his death,” she said, adding that Roopnarine had expressed a desire to return home. “We even buy an oxygen tank for him so he could stay at home,” she said.

Dhanraj said his father’s sole surviving sister, Rose Mohan, 72, was due to arrive from England for the funeral which has been tentatively set for Saturday. Singh was a figure of unwavering support for his son Dhanraj, while he was facing the charge of murdering former chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation Hansraj Sumair-singh. Dhanraj Singh, who was eventually freed of the murder charge by a jury in the Port-of-Spain High Court, is currently facing charges of corruption in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court.