Two men are charged with murdering Vijay Kumar, 30, found injured on Barbourne Road on 25 November 2025. Both were remanded to appear in court on 10 October.
Two men have been charged with murder over the death of Vijay Kumar in Worcester. The 30-year-old was found with serious injuries on Barbourne Road in November last year and died later the same day.
West Mercia Police announced the charges on Friday 9 October, almost 11 months after his death. The force’s statement names the two men charged as:
- Vanch Vansh, 23, of Heather Road in Smethwick
- Harsh Kapahi, 27, of Gregorys Mill Street in Worcester
Both were remanded in custody to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 10 October. They have been charged, not convicted, and the allegation has not been tested in court.
What the police said at the time
Officers found the man on Barbourne Road at around 4.15am on Tuesday 25 November 2025. He had life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital. The force’s first statement said five men aged 22 to 35 were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder shortly afterwards.
He died later that day. The next afternoon the force said his death was being investigated as murder. A sixth man had been arrested the previous afternoon. Detective Chief Inspector Lee Holehouse said there was “nothing to suggest any wider risk to the public”.
By 28 November the five men arrested on suspicion of murder had been released on bail, and the sixth man had been released with no further action, according to the force’s update. This week’s statement does not say whether either of the two men now charged was among those arrested in November.
His family’s tribute
The force named him as Vijay Kumar on 1 December, when it released a statement from his family. They said he “brought energy, joy and laughter” and “lived with purpose, passion, and heart”.
“Though his time with us was unbelievably short, it was filled with meaning,” the family said. “His tragic departure has left us devastated and has created a void in our lives.”
What it means for you
The case is now active in the courts. That limits what anyone, including us, can publish about the events of that morning, so this report sticks to what West Mercia Police has put on the record.
If you saw anything on Barbourne Road in the early hours of 25 November 2025, the investigation team’s number throughout has been 01905 331099. You can also pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.
For other police and community news in the city, see our Worcester news page.
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