High Court Judge Justice, Aruna Aluthge, has given Saimumu Dean and Zuhair Dean until Thursday to file their application for mitigation of charges before sentencing on Friday.

The duo were found guilty of four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of arson which caused the death of four elderly women and the damage of Bal Krishna’s property.

On April 30, 2020, the accused persons used benzene to raze the house from outside which eventually spread inside the house.

Krishna was the lone survivor. He lost his mother, Nagama, 70, and her three friends who stayed at his house at the time.

The other three victims were: Dharmi, 76, Zamidan Hussein, 73, and Subhadra Wati, 70.

The court sitting yesterday was conducted via Skype as Judge Aruna Aluthge appeared from the High Court in Suva.

State prosecutor, Michelle Lomaloma, said they had not received any submissions in relation to the mitigation file from both accused persons.

Saimumu’s lawyer, Amrit Sen, failed to appear in court and the accused informed the court that he was unaware whether Mr Sen had filed for mitigation of charges or not.

Ms Lomaloma informed the court that she was reliably advised that Mr Sen was engaged in another supreme court case.

Judge Aluthge instructed the defence to submit all applications for mitigation of charges no later than Thursday, after which the sentencing would be given.

The case was adjourned to Friday for sentencing.

Story by: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj