Testifying for J&E Advance Tech Sdn Bhd in its defamation suit against the former Selangor menteri besar, Deepak denied being friends with Rosmah.
Instead, he called the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak his “mortal enemy”, adding she “destroyed my business”.
“He (Azmin) was asking ‘siapa Deepak’ (who is Deepak), and answering ‘kawan Rosmah’ (Rosmah’s friend),” Deepak told the High Court here.
The witness denied a suggestion by lawyer Nizamuddin Abdul Hamid, representing Azmin, that his client’s questions were aimed at the government over an issue that had arisen surrounding the import of eggs from India.
J&E Advance filed the lawsuit against Azmin last year, alleging he had defamed the company by claiming that it had been awarded a contract to import eggs via direct negotiations with the government.
The company said Azmin’s remarks, made during a ceramah in Gombak on March 11 last year, were untrue, and is seeking damages.
Deepak told the court he had no involvement with J&E Advance, which is run by his brother and sister-in-law.
“The video (of Azmin’s speech) was all over the internet.
“At that time, it was my birthday. I was cutting my cake when the news came out. This was a cruel thing for Azmin to do on my birthday,” he added.
Earlier today, Deepak’s brother, Rajesh, testified that J&E Advance was authorised to import eggs from India due to a shortage in the local market.
He denied the contract was awarded to his company through direct negotiations.
Rajesh also testified that J&E Advance had engaged in a thorough process of sourcing for egg suppliers in India and had to comply with the food regulations there before they were able to import the eggs.
“We did not import low-grade eggs. These eggs were of the same quality as those sold to the Middle East.
“The samples were also checked by Maqis (the quarantine and inspection services department), and they found the eggs were free from disease,” he said.
Under cross-examination, Rajesh conceded that J&E Advance was not named in Azmin’s speech.
He also said Deepak does not hold any position in J&E Advance.
The hearing continues on May 17 before Judicial Commissioner Leong Wai Hong and Azmin is expected to testify.