Manmeen Singh Minhas files lawsuit against Stockland Rockhampton

A Rockhampton restaurant owner has filed a self-represented lawsuit against a shopping centre giant, claiming it failed to comply with the lease terms and conditions.

Manmeen Singh Minhas is suing Stockland Rockhampton.

A businessman has fired off a $470,000 lawsuit against Stockland Rockhampton, arguing the shopping centre giant “failed to comply with the lease agreement”.

Manmeen Singh Minhas filed a self-represented civil lawsuit in Rockhampton District Court on January 9.

The lawsuit is “for the loss and additional compensation for the goods and equipment the plaintiff invested into the lease area”.

Mr Minhas has owned a number of Indian restaurants in Rockhampton over the last decade.

In the statement of claim, Mr Minhas states he entered a lease with Stockland Rockhampton on the conditions he could “terminate the lease if the business is not profitable”, meaning similar to his other business at 137 East Street.

Mr Minhas further said in the claim, Stockland Rockhampton verbally agreed to “look after the business’s losses”, by “reducing the rent” and providing advertising.

His claim said Stockland Rockhampton “did not uphold their end of the verbal agreement”.

Mr Minhas accused Stockland Rockhampton of providing him “misleading information when signing the contract”.

He also claimed Stockland Rockhampton failed to surrender the lease agreement when asked on “numerous occasions” and it failed to comply with the termination conditions and allow him to take the goods and equipment he invested himself.

The lawsuit is for $471,250, including $130,000 in interest and $16,250 in legal costs.

No defence has yet been filed.

Stockland declined this publication’s request to comment, stating it was unable to because it was a legal matter.