A husband and wife are in police custody and have been charged for the murder of an Indian national late last year in New South Wales. Police have said that another arrest could be made over the case.

The body of twenty-five-year-old Ranjodh Singh was discovered partially burnt at roadside near the town of Griffith in the south-west part of New South Wales in December.

Based on forensic evidence, the victim was still alive when he was set on fire.

Detectives say investigations show Mr Singh was alive when he was set on fire.

Police said that a twenty-three-year-old man as well as a twenty-year-old woman were arrested a different addresses in Sydney on Thursday.

The pair have been charged with the murder of Mr Singh.

According to police, the two had been working as fruit pickers on farms in NSW in the company of Mr Singh on.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch said that they could allege that the two accused and their victim knew each other, adding that all were fruit pickers working together on the same farm at the time of the crime.
 
Murdoch ruled out race as a motive for the killing, but would not confirm the nationality of the couple although officials from the Immigration Department were need for the police operation.

He said that police had taken into custody a number of people over the matter.
 
Police said they needed to speak to the driver of a red Ford Falcon. They said the vehicle had been spotted at a local carwash at 3:00am on December 29.

Investigators have asked to be contacted by anyone who would have travelled on a Countrylink bus service from Griffith to Wagga Wagga at 9:30am on December 29.

The murder of another Indian national had sparked further outraged in the Indian community in Australia and in India itself. Australia had been receiving some seriously bad international press as of late for violent, racist behaviour towards Indian nationals.

Police are requesting people who have information over the matter to contact Crimestoppers at 1800 333 000.