Business owner charged in arson that destroyed Leader business

LEADER, Sask. — RCMP have charged the owner of a business destroyed by fire in southwestern Saskatchewan last fall following a months-long investigation.

Leader RCMP say a 50-year-old man from Calgary was arrested Jan. 26 in connection with a fire that destroyed a business in the community of Leader in October 2025.

The charred remains of the Halfway Huddle Sports Bar in Leader, Sask., are shown following a fire on Oct. 26, 2025. Photo courtesy of Aaron Wenzel

Rajinderpal Basran is charged with one count of arson with intent to defraud, one count of fraud over $5,000 and one count of arson with disregard for human life under the Criminal Code. Police say Basran was the owner of the business that burned.

Basran is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Leader on March 19.

The fire occurred early on Oct. 26, 2025. RCMP say officers were called to a structure fire at a business on 1st Avenue at about 2:40 a.m. Local firefighters also responded, but the building was destroyed.

In the days following the fire, RCMP said evidence suggested the blaze was suspicious. Fire investigators with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency were brought in to help determine the fire’s cause and origin.

As the investigation continued, police released surveillance video in December showing a suspect arriving at the business, breaking in and later leaving the area in a dark-coloured SUV. At the time, RCMP said the vehicle closely resembled a Jeep and asked the public for help identifying both the suspect and the vehicle.

RCMP have not said whether tips from the public contributed to the arrest. Police say the investigation remains ongoing.