Deepak withdraws case against Wanita Umno leader
A lawsuit against Awan Megah (M) Sdn Bhd, allegedly a vehicle for Selangor Umno Wanita chief Senator Raja Ropiaah Abdullah, was withdrawn without reasons.
Teoh El Sen, FMT
Controversial businessman Deepak Jaikishan today withdrew a lawsuit against a Wanita Umno leader’s company over a Defence Ministry land deal which went sour.
The withdrawal was confirmed by Saseedharan Menon, the lawyer for the main defendant, Awan Megah (M) Sdn Bhd which belonged to Selangor Umno Wanita chief Senator Raja Ropiaah Abdullah.
“Yes, they have withdrawn [it] and the court has struck off the case,” he told FMT. He said that reasons behind the sudden withdrawal today, which was fixed for oral submissions, were not given.
“We had no objections to the withdrawal and there were no orders as to costs,” he said “This is no out-court-settlement.”
Saseedharan said the withdrawal would vindicate Raja Roopiah, saying: “It has to vindicate my client as the withdrawal comes from the plaintiff himself”
Meanwhile, lawyer Latheefa Koya said that Deepak had changed his lawyers on short notice today.
“We are no longer his lawyers on record,” she said, referring to lead counsel R Sivarasa and N Surendran.
She said that Deepak’s matter, including the withdrawal, was handled by another firm, adding that no reason was given for the change of lawyers.
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Previously, Deepak, through the company Astacanggih Sdn Bhd, of which he is a director, had filed the legal suit in the Kuala Lumpur High Court naming the Malaysian government, Syarikat Tanah Harta Sdn Bhd, Awan Megah and Cebur Megah Development Sdn Bhd, in which he is also a director, as defendants for breach of agreement over the 233.33 acres of land.
Awan Megah had filed a counter-claim in response.
High Court judge Zabariah Mohd Yusof had earlier struck out the Malaysian government, Syarikat Tanah Harta and Cebur Megah as defendants in the suit, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal.
