Carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishian has filed an RM676 million suit against former premier Najib Abdul Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor and two companies for conspiracy and exerting undue influence on him over three parcels of land near Bukit Raja.

The 180ha piece of land is said to have been the venue of the National Defence Study Centre which was supposed to have been built there in 2007.

Besides naming Najib and Rosmah, Deepak named listed company Boustead Holdings Bhd and its subsidiary Bakti Wira Development Sdn Bhd as defendants.

In the statement of claim filed by the firm of Haniff Khatri and Co, he alleged that a privatisation agreement was entered into on June 8, 2005, involving Awan Megah Sdn Bhd to construct the defence centre.

Following privatisation, Awan Megah offered Astacanggih Sdn Bhd, which is majority-owned by Deepak, to purchase the land for RM118.57 million and following this, an acquisition agreement was made in 2007.

Following the acquisition, Astacanggih paid Awan Megah RM13 million and raised an RM72.5 million bank guarantee to be used as a land bond for the privatised project.

He further claimed that then Selangor Wanita Umno chief Raja Ropiaah Raja Abdullah, who owns Awan Megah, was a proxy of Najib and Rosmah.

He said Raja Ropiaah entered into another deal in 2010 to sell the land to GuppyUnip Sdn Bhd and this was against the original agreement entered into with Astacanggih.

Deepak claimed that Raja Ropiaah (photo) was not supposed to sell the land when she was under obligation to the earlier deal with Astacanggih.

As a result, the businessperson filed a suit against Awan Megah and for which a hearing was held.

Deepak claimed he was, however, forced to withdraw his suit against Awan Megah when pressured by the authorities.

Suit served

The businessperson claimed that it did not end there and alleged that Najib and Rosmah used Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) to acquire his 80 percent share of Astacanggih via Boustead through its subsidiary Bakti Wira.

Deepak said, in the end, he was only paid RM30 million in 2012 for the 80 percent whereas the company was now worth more than that following the land acquisition.

He further claimed that while Boustead allegedly acquired his share when the land owned by the company was priced at RM14 per square feet, he said a week later, Boustead sold a portion of the land to a listed company for RM60 per square feet.

According to his statement of claim, Deepak, claiming losses, is seeking RM600 million in general damages, RM50 million of exemplary damages and RM26 million in aggravated damages.

In addition, he wants the Companies Commission of Malaysia to ensure that his 80 percent holding in Astacanggih is returned to him.

It is understood that the suit was served on all parties yesterday.

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