Alleged arsonists to take plea on July 24

Two people charged with arson and murder in the Benau fire deaths in April will enter their plea on July 24.

Saimumu Dean, 40, and Zuhair Frahaad Dean, 19, appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar via Skype conference call from the High Court in Labasa.

Justice Goundar was in Suva.

The two have each been charged with one count of arson, four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

It is alleged that the two set fire to Bal Krishna’s house at Benau, Labasa, at around 1.30am on April 30.

Mr Krishna was sleeping in his room while his mother Nagama, 70, and her three friends, Dharmi 76, Zamidan Hussain, 73, and Subhadra Wati, 70 were sleeping in another room.

The four women died in the fire and Mr Krishna was the lone survivor.

Justice Goundar gave seven days to the prosecution to file the information.

Both accused persons have been further remanded in custody.