Charge over death in Garden Street car park withdrawn
A murder charge has been withdrawn against a woman accused in connection with the discovery of a man's body inside a van in Leicester.
The case centres on the body of Major Singh, described in court as a man in his 30s, which was found in the back of a Ford Transit van in a car park on Garden Street on 27 May. The prosecution had alleged that the man was killed in Hounslow, west London, and that his body was then transported more than 100 miles to Leicester.
On 18 September 2026 at the Old Bailey, prosecutors informed the court that the murder charge against Harinder Kaur, aged 39 and of Sutton Dene, Hounslow, had been withdrawn. She remains charged with an additional offence of perverting the course of justice. That charge has been denied by Kaur, with a trial listed at the Old Bailey for 5 April 2027.
"A member of the public reported concerns about the condition of the van on 27 May."
The vehicle was discovered after concerns raised by a member of the public prompted an initial investigation. The East Midlands Special Operations Unit opened inquiries with assistance from Leicestershire Police, though the inquiry was later transferred to the Metropolitan Police.
- Discovery: 27 May 2026 — body found in Ford Transit van, Garden Street car park, Leicester
- Allegation: Victim said to have been killed in Hounslow and transported more than 100 miles
- Court update: Murder charge withdrawn 18 September 2026; perverting the course of justice trial set for 5 April 2027
The withdrawal of the murder charge does not equate to a finding of innocence. Prosecutors may have decided they no longer had sufficient admissible evidence to secure a conviction on the murder count, or there may be other evidential or investigative reasons for the decision. The perverting the course of justice charge remains alive and will be the focus of the next court hearing.
For Leicester residents, the case has drawn attention not only because the body was found within the city but because it highlights the inter-regional aspect of some criminal investigations. The movement of both alleged criminal activity and alleged victims between London and Leicester underlines the co-operation required between police forces. Local officers initially worked with the East Midlands Special Operations Unit before the Metropolitan Police took over significant elements of the inquiry.
Local communities often rely on timely information in incidents of this nature. While the police have provided basic details to date, further updates are expected through court proceedings and any subsequent statements from the investigating forces. The remaining count of perverting the course of justice, if it proceeds to trial in April, will be heard at the Old Bailey where further evidence and the prosecution's position should become clearer.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 27 May 2026 | Body of Major Singh found in Ford Transit van in Garden Street car park, Leicester |
| 18 September 2026 | Murder charge against Harinder Kaur withdrawn at Old Bailey; perverting the course of justice charge remains |
| 5 April 2027 | Hearing/trial date listed for perverting the course of justice charge at Old Bailey |
The family of the deceased and the local community may still be awaiting more detailed information. Inquiries involving multiple police forces can take time to resolve, especially where the alleged offending and the discovery of a body occur in different parts of the country.
Anyone with information relating to the incident or who may have seen the vehicle in question around the dates in question is encouraged to contact the relevant police force handling the investigation.
