Make fire 'look like a robbery': Business owner on trial for arson

The scene of the fire that gutted the premises of Sargam Foods in Henderson in November 2008. Picture / NZME.

Court told accused paid witness $500 to burn factory

A West Auckland business owner is accused of paying someone to burn down his factory for an insurance payout of more than $1 million.

Vijendra Kumar Naiker - former owner of Sargam Foods in Henderson - is on trial in the Auckland District Court facing charges of arson and using a document for a pecuniary advantage.

The food business was gutted by fire on November 15, 2008. Three years later the 52-year-old was charged with deliberately causing the destruction of the premises with Rashikendron Reddy and Oliovaigafa Neru.

Neru, who was sentenced to home detention in 2012 for his role, gave evidence yesterday.

He told the court Reddy, a family friend, asked him if he wanted to do a job.

"All he said was he had a friend who was looking for someone to burn down his factory," Neru said.

The witness said he thought about it before agreeing to a $500 cash fee.

Neru said he was then driven to the factory on Bruce McLaren Rd and introduced to Naiker, who pointed out a large pile of cardboard on the ground floor that he was instructed to set alight. The pair then went upstairs to the offices, where Neru was told to smash up the computers and other electronics to "make it look like a robbery".

Before he left, Neru said he was told to help himself to items from the factory shop.

Neru said that on the night of November 15 he took a golf club to break into the building. After stealing more food from the shop, he followed the plan.

Fire crews from Henderson were soon on the scene to douse the blaze.

"I feel horrible about it. It shouldn't have happened from the start. I'd take it all back if I could but it's too late," Neru told the jury.

It is alleged Naiker initiated an insurance claim 11 days after the fire. Insurance company officials at court confirmed the claim was for more than $1 million.