LAUTOKA – Police this week sent a “high-powered” police team to Lautoka to investigate the attempted fire bombing of the home of internet café owner Rajneel Singh, according to a report in the Fiji Sun.

This is the latest development in a convoluted story involving a potential plot to assassinate members of Fiji’s government.

Singh has alleged he was abducted and tortured by police officers after he sent copies of plans to destabilise the government to the offices of the Acting Police Commissioner and the Attorney-General.

Singh claims he spotted the plans for the plot on a computer that was left logged in at his Lautoka internet café business.

But after he informed police of what he had discovered, he said he was visited by police officers, tortured with a hot rod and dumped in a pine forest between Nadi and Sigatoka.

Apparently Singh had previously met with Fiji’s Acting Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho and had his personal cellphone number in his contacts.

As a result Singh was rescued on instructions from Qiliho and taken to Lautoka hospital where he was placed under military guard.

Since then Singh claims his internet café has been burgled and his computers stolen or smashed.

Acting Police Commissioner Qiliho confirmed how the alleged plot was discovered when Singh found the incriminating emails left open on one of his computers.

“He’s supplied me with printouts that are pointing towards destabilising acts against the government. I cannot confirm or deny police involvement,” Qiliho told the Fiji Village news website in late November.

On Monday this week, the police commissioner told FBC News that, while no arrests have been made, “police were hot on their heels of the perpetrators”.

In the latest twist in the plot that has Fijians intrigued – if not a little concerned – Singh said he and his family were woken up by a loud noise early Thursday morning.

A Molotov cocktail – or a petrol bomb – was thrown at the house.

“Luckily they did not cause any big fire or major damage apart from a broken window,” he said.

He said the attack followed days of threatening phone calls and a break-in at his internet shop.

The calls were traced back to a pay phone in Namaka, Nadi.

After Singh rang Qiliho about the Molotov cocktail, Police Senior Superintendent Luke Navela, Director of Internal Affairs, was dispatched with the “high-powered” investigation to Lautoka.

Navela, who interviewed Singh, is now the acting Chief of Intelligence and Investigations, replacing the Assistant Commissioner of Police Henry Brown who has reportedly “gone on leave”.

Acting Police Commission Qiliho said the “beefing up” of the investigation team showed their “serious concern” about Singh’s safety.

Qiliho since met with Singh in Lautoka on Friday to give assurances regarding the safety of the businessman’ and his family.

Singh said he fears for his and his family’s lives.

“I went to sleep at around midnight – but before that I had heard a rustling sound outside, so I peeped through the curtain but I didn’t see anything,” he said.

“I slept for a few more hours and was woken up by a loud bang on the side of the house, we thought someone was stoning our house until we saw the glass bottle filled with some kind of flammable liquid with smoke coming out if it fly through our window.”

Singh said he then called Brigadier General Qiliho.

“After we called the Commissioner, the police arrived within minutes and brought with them police dogs to inspect the area and stationed some police officers here so that no one tampered with the evidence,” he said.

After his meeting with Singh and his family Qiliho said: “In terms of protection we don’t have a 24/7 manning operation but I have sent patrols around his residential area and have been in contact regularly with him whenever he feels uneasy.

“They’re sending patrols to the Singh’s residence to look after them at night and provided police coverage to areas where they are visiting.”

“We will also send police to check for any suspicious activity and the police dog unit, a forensic specialist to inspect the area – and I have strengthened the investigation team to expedite the progress.”

The acting police commissioner said he would meet with his senior officers and the investigating team next week to draw up a “timeline” on the investigation of the alleged destabilisation plot, the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reports.

Qiliho saids he wants to “expedite the investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate members of the parliament.”

“I want investigations to be completed expeditiously so we can bring this case to some closure and if people need to be produced in court, then we will do that.”

He said the meeting next week is to discuss directions in which they can “move forward in regards to the investigation.”

“But unfortunately on the alleged police brutality side, in regards to Mr Singh’s abduction, we haven’t been able to identify anyone. And in regards to the break in at his internet shop, we haven’t been able to crack that one as well.” - PNC