Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada: An Indian-origin businessman has been arrested in Canada in connection with an alleged insurance fraud case involving arson at his own restaurant.

Rajinderpal Basran (50) was taken into custody and charged with arson with intent to defraud after a fire destroyed his sports bar, Halftime Huddle, in Leader, a town near Saskatoon, on October 26, 2025. According to authorities, the blaze completely gutted the establishment in the early hours of the morning.

Police were alerted to the fire at around 2:40 a.m., and by the time firefighters arrived, the building was already engulfed in flames and later burned to the ground. An investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) raised suspicions about the incident.

Investigators reportedly recovered video footage showing a suspect arriving at the restaurant, breaking in, and leaving the scene in a dark-colored SUV shortly before the fire broke out. Basran later told CBC News that he was out of town when he learned about the incident.

Speaking after the fire, Basran said his family had invested a significant portion of their lives into building the business, which was reduced to ashes overnight. When asked about insurance-related concerns at the time, he stated that financial matters were not his immediate priority.

“I will come out of this, but the mental trauma and the safety of my family and employees are what matter most right now,” he said.

Authorities later arrested Basran following further investigation. He owns three other businesses in the same town and is scheduled to appear in court on March 19.