Second man charged in connection with Leader business fire

By Your Southwest Media Group

LEADER — A second man has been arrested and charged as part of the ongoing RCMP investigation into a suspicious fire that destroyed a Leader business nearly a year ago.

Leader RCMP announced Thursday, Sept. 17 that 28-year-old Navjot Singh of Leader was arrested on Sept. 16 in connection with the October 2025 fire.

FILE PHOTO

According to RCMP, Singh has also been charged in connection with the theft and arson of a commercial vehicle in Leader in November 2025, as well as an alleged conspiracy involving the theft and arson of two commercial vehicles in Leader in June and July 2026.

Singh faces seven charges: conspiracy to commit arson for a fraudulent purpose; break and enter and commit arson; arson for a fraudulent purpose; counselling an offence not committed; conspiracy to commit theft of a motor vehicle; fraud over $5,000; and arson with disregard for human life.

He was scheduled to appear in court in Leader on Sept. 17.

The arrest is the latest development in an investigation that began almost 11 months ago.

At approximately 2:40 a.m. on Oct. 26, 2025, Leader RCMP received a report of a structure fire at a business on 1st Avenue in Leader. Police and local firefighters responded, but the business was destroyed.

RCMP subsequently brought in fire investigators from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to help determine the cause and origin of the blaze. Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, police determined the fire was suspicious.

The investigation continued through the fall. In December, RCMP released video footage that investigators said showed a suspect arriving at the business, breaking in and later leaving in a dark-coloured SUV. Police said the vehicle strongly resembled a Jeep, although it may have been another SUV with a similar appearance.

RCMP appealed to the public at that time for assistance identifying both the suspect and the vehicle.

The first arrest in the case came on Jan. 26, 2026.

Rajinderpal Basran, 50, of Calgary was charged with arson with intent to defraud, fraud over $5,000 and arson with disregard for human life in connection with the October fire. RCMP announced those charges on Jan. 29.

With Singh's arrest, two men have now been charged in connection with the fire.

Leader RCMP say the investigation remains ongoing.

The allegations against Singh and Basran have not been proven in court.