Arson case heads to court

With his right hand bandaged and burns visible on his face, a 31-year-old Surrey man appeared in a Vancouver court yesterday charged with igniting a blast that obliterated a restaurant in February.
Kamaljeet Singh Josan is charged with two counts of arson for an explosion at a Taco Del Mar on Feb. 13 that caused $2.5 million in damage. Police said it was a miracle no one was killed.
A man was seen running from the explosion. He was later tracked to a hospital with burns to 40 per cent of his body.
Josan limped out of court yesterday afternoon. His grey hoodie was cinched tight and he held a white handkerchief in front of his face. He was arrested on March 27 but, due to his injuries, has not been interviewed by police.
Two days after the explosion, the body of Manjeet Nandha co-owner of the Taco Del Mar — was fished from Howe Sound near Porteau Cove, north of Vancouver.
Police have not confirmed her death was a suicide.
Vancouver Const. Tim Fanning said Josan was a friend of Manjeet Nandha.
But yesterday a man claiming to be Manjeet’s husband, Harjit Nandha, phoned a local radio station to deny Josan was a family friend.