Man accused of attempted murder says no father will try to kill his own children

A 34-year-old-man who is charged for arson and 2 counts of attempted murder has told the Suva High Court that no father would want to kill his own children.

It is alleged that on the 5th of July 2020, Pranil Singh of Nadawa set fire to their home and tried to harm himself and his two sons following a heated argument.

The two children were aged 10 years and 1-year-9 months at the time.

While giving evidence in court today, Singh says he went to cook dinner that night when the gas cylinder blew which started the fire.

He says he tried saving his children and covered both of them but started to feel dizzy and passed out inside the house.

Singh says he was on the road outside the house when he regained consciousness and was told by other people that his children were safe.

During the cross examination, the man has denied accusations that he locked both doors in the house and set the fire to kill himself and his two sons.

Singh has also denied accusations that he held both his sons so they would not run away and the man passed out when he was hit on the head with a small sofa by one of his sons.

Suva High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar will deliver his judgment on 1st June.