A woman facing charges of murder and arson has been granted bail by the High Court in Suva, with the court imposing strict conditions on her release.
Reana Devi Chand is charged with one count of wilfully and unlawfully setting fire to a dwelling house at Levuka Street, Samabula, on December 24, 2025, allegedly causing the death of a person.
She is also charged with murder.
Justice Daniel Goundar noted that Ms Chand had no previous convictions, no history of breaching bail conditions and had strong community and family ties.
Ms Chand must report to the Nausori Police Station twice a month, must not interfere directly or indirectly with prosecution witnesses, must not commit any further offence and must attend every court hearing.
She is also required to surrender her passport to the High Court Registrar and is prohibited from applying for a replacement or new passport without the court’s permission.
Her proposed sureties are required to sign bail bonds of $5000 each.
The court warned that any breach of the bail conditions could result in her arrest and the revocation of bail.
Defence lawyer Abhay Singh also raised outstanding disclosure issues, including police records and material relating to Ms Chands police interview.
Justice Goundar said there was a presumption that the prosecution would comply with its legal duty to disclose relevant material and indicated that the defence could return to court if disclosure was not provided.
The matter has been adjourned to November 11 for pre-trial conference.
