A 62-year-old Legalega man who is a holder of permanent residency in New Zealand, Muhammad Raheesh Isoof has been charged in relation to the murder of the three adults and two children in the Nausori Highlands last month and has been further remanded in custody.

Isoof has been charged with five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

His lawyer, Iqbal Khan applied for bail, however, this was rejected by the Nadi Magistrates Court.

The case has been adjourned to the 25th of this month and will be heard in the Lautoka High Court.

The man knew the family from Legalega and his occupation has been listed as a bus driver.

The bodies of the family members were found in the Nausori Highlands on the 26th of August.

The bodies were of a 63-year-old carpenter, Nirmal Kumar, his 54-year-old wife, Usha Devi, their 34-year-old daughter, Nileshni Kajal and Kajal's two daughters aged 11 and 8 years.

A 1-year-old child was found crawling nearby. She is the late Nileshni's niece. Her mother lives in Australia.

Investigators had revealed that the findings of the post mortem examination were consistent with a substance consumed by all five victims.

No visible injuries were found on the five people.

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