Amritpal Singh was jailed for 15 years on 15 April 2026 after being convicted of the manslaughter of his housemate, Amit Kumar, at their shared home in Leicester. The 45-year-old was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, with CCTV evidence of him disposing of the murder weapon proving central to the prosecution case.

Who Is Amritpal Singh?

The Amritpal Singh convicted of manslaughter in Leicester in April 2026 is a 45-year-old man who, at the time of the offence, was living in a shared house on Sawley Street in Leicester. He is not to be confused with the Indian politician and religious activist of the same name who has been held under the National Security Act in India. The Leicester case involves an entirely separate individual whose identity came to public attention solely through criminal proceedings at Leicester Crown Court.

What Happened in Leicester?

In the early hours of Sunday 5 October 2025, Amit Kumar, 32, was fatally stabbed at the property on Sawley Street that he shared with Amritpal Singh and two other housemates. Kumar sustained serious stab wounds and died as a result of his injuries. The attack took place inside the property in the early hours of the morning, and the other residents at the address were present when police arrived.

Leicestershire Police launched a murder investigation following Kumar’s death. Officers attended the address and began gathering evidence, including a review of CCTV footage from the surrounding area. The investigation revealed that Singh had left the property shortly after the attack.

For information on how violent crime cases progress through the UK justice system, see our guide on remand prisoners and what happens between arrest and trial.

How Was Singh Caught?

CCTV footage captured in the vicinity of Sawley Street proved to be the decisive piece of evidence in the case against Amritpal Singh. Officers reviewing the footage observed Singh leaving the property and subsequently disposing of a knife in a nearby garden. He then appeared to retrieve the weapon before ultimately placing it in a wheelie bin in an attempt to conceal it from investigators. The footage made clear that his actions were deliberate — he was attempting to hide the murder weapon.

The knife was later recovered by police, and forensic analysis linked it to the attack on Amit Kumar. Singh was arrested and charged with murder. He was remanded in custody to await trial at Leicester Crown Court.

Trial and Sentence

At Leicester Crown Court, Amritpal Singh faced a charge of murder. After hearing all the evidence, including the CCTV footage of the knife disposal and forensic evidence linking him to the attack, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

On Wednesday 15 April 2026, Singh was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The judge at Leicester Crown Court took into account the gravity of the loss of Amit Kumar’s life, the deliberate concealment of evidence, and the circumstances of the attack in arriving at the sentence. The family of Amit Kumar attended court for the sentencing hearing.

If you need to send money to someone in prison following a conviction, our guide on how to send money to a prisoner explains the process in detail.

Background and Context

The case drew local attention in Leicester because of the nature of the attack — a killing within a shared household, between people who lived together. Shared house killings are statistically uncommon but have a particular impact on local communities where residents in similar accommodation may feel unsettled by such events. Leicestershire Police praised the work of their detectives in securing a conviction, noting that the CCTV evidence had been instrumental in establishing Singh’s guilt.

Amit Kumar’s death left his family and friends grieving, and the case attracted attention from community organisations in Leicester’s South Asian communities. Singh does not appear to have had any previous notable criminal record that was made public during the proceedings. The jury’s verdict of manslaughter rather than murder suggests that while they were satisfied Singh caused Kumar’s death, they were not persuaded beyond reasonable doubt that he had the specific intent required for a murder conviction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Amritpal Singh in prison?

Amritpal Singh (45, of Leicester) is in prison because he was convicted of the manslaughter of his housemate Amit Kumar at their shared property on Sawley Street, Leicester, in October 2025. He was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter at Leicester Crown Court, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on 15 April 2026. This is not the same person as the Indian politician Amritpal Singh.

How long is Amritpal Singh’s prison sentence?

Amritpal Singh received a 15-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of Amit Kumar. He was sentenced on 15 April 2026 at Leicester Crown Court. Under UK sentencing rules, he will serve a proportion of this sentence in custody before becoming eligible to apply for release on licence, subject to the Parole Board’s assessment.

What was the difference between the murder and manslaughter charges in this case?

Murder requires proof that the defendant intended to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. Manslaughter does not require that level of intent — it covers unlawful killings where the specific intent for murder cannot be proven. In Amritpal Singh’s case, the jury was satisfied that he unlawfully killed Amit Kumar but was not convinced beyond reasonable doubt that he had the intention required for a murder conviction, resulting in a manslaughter verdict.

What was the key evidence against Amritpal Singh?

The key evidence against Amritpal Singh was CCTV footage captured near the property showing him leaving and disposing of the knife used in the attack on Amit Kumar. The footage showed him placing the weapon in a garden, retrieving it, and then concealing it in a wheelie bin. The knife was subsequently recovered by police and forensically linked to the killing, providing strong circumstantial evidence of his involvement.

Where is Amritpal Singh now?

Following his conviction and sentencing at Leicester Crown Court in April 2026, Amritpal Singh is currently serving his 15-year prison sentence within the England and Wales prison estate. The specific institution has not been publicly disclosed. Anyone wishing to locate a prisoner can use the prisoner location service to find out which establishment holds a particular individual.