The trial of a 33-year-old truck driver who allegedly tried to burn his brother’s house began yesterday at the High Court in Suva.
Aman Chand appeared before High Court judge Justice Daniel Goundar charged with one count of attempt to commit arson on August 22, 2021, in Nasinu.
State witness Kishnil Singh said he was at the scene when the alleged incident took place.
He said the accused was his former brother-in-law and that he knew the accused and his brother, Asish Chand, from when he first came to live in the area 10 years ago.
He also said he and Asish were playing billiards on the night in question when the accused, who lived in the bottom flat of the house, turned up appearing to be drunk and had a verbal exchange with Asish.
Mr Singh told the High Court that in the exchange, he heard the accused tell Asish to “wait and see what I do”.
He said the accused left them to play billiards and walked towards the back of the house and about 15 to 20 minutes later, they noticed smoke coming from the back of the house and Asish raced to put the fire out.
They later noticed smoke coming from inside the accused’s flat and Asish had to break the door down to extinguish the flame.
Bail was extended for the accused.
The trial continues.
