Harshita Brella Murder: An Overview of the Investigation

The family of Harshita Brella, whose remains were discovered in the boot of a vehicle in Ilford, east London, has expressed profound sorrow, stating they are “heartbroken.” Police suspect Ms Brella, 24, from Corby, Northamptonshire, was murdered by her husband, Pankaj Lamba. Ms Brella’s family indicated that she and Mr Lamba, 23, had entered into an arranged marriage, with their legal wedding ceremony taking place in August 2023. The couple observed their traditional Indian ceremony on March 22 of this year, subsequently relocating to the UK around April 30 and settling in Corby. Below is a summary of the investigation’s progress thus far: **September 3: Lamba Arrested and Domestic Violence Protection Order Issued** Ms Brella was subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) in the months preceding her death. Following a report of domestic abuse against Ms Brella in August, Mr Lamba was apprehended and subsequently released under bail conditions, with a DVPO being issued. The order stipulated that Mr Lamba was not to harass, pester, or intimidate her. He was also instructed to pay police £480 in costs. The order expired after 28 days, on October 1. **November 10: Last Spoke to Family in India** Her family reported that their final phone conversation with Ms Brella occurred on November 10. She informed them she had prepared dinner and was awaiting Mr Lamba’s return home. Her sister, Sonia Dabas, noted that Ms Brella’s phone was switched off for the subsequent two days, and by November 13, they “thought something was wrong.” **November 13: Northamptonshire Police Contacted** Three days later, the family reached out to Northamptonshire Police, conveying their concerns regarding Ms Brella’s welfare. This communication led to the discovery of her body and the initiation of a murder investigation. The force self-referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a mandatory procedure due to officers’ prior contact with Ms Brella. **November 14: Harshita Brella’s Body Found in East London** Ms Brella was located by police in the early hours of November 14 inside a vehicle on Brisbane Road, Ilford, situated 100 miles from her residence in Corby. The following day, Northamptonshire Police announced that a forensic post-mortem examination, conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary, confirmed Ms Brella had been murdered. **November 17: Murder Investigation Begins** Northamptonshire Police launched a murder investigation, identifying Ms Brella’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, as the prime suspect. Officers suspect Mr Lamba has fled the country, prompting an international manhunt. **November 19: Cause of Death Revealed and New CCTV Images Released** Northamptonshire Police stated that a post-mortem examination determined the preliminary cause of death to be strangulation. Detectives also released new CCTV images of Mr Lamba and a silver Vauxhall Corsa, which they believe he drove from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of November 11. **November 20: Inquest Opened** The inquest into Ms Brella’s death was opened and adjourned at the Guildhall in Northampton. Anne Pember, the Senior Coroner for Northamptonshire, confirmed that Ms Brella’s body had not yet been released. The inquest is scheduled to resume on May 21, 2025. **November 21: Police Share CCTV Image of Couple** Detectives investigating Ms Brella’s death released a CCTV image depicting her walking with Mr Lamba on the night they believe she was killed. The photograph shows the pair together near Corby’s boating lake on November 10. Det Ch Insp Johnny Campbell, from the East Midlands major crime unit, indicated that searches were being conducted in the area. He added, “We know that it’s a busy part of the town and there will have been a lot of passing traffic.” The force appealed for anyone who was in Corby between 18:00 and 21:00 that day, specifically near the boating lake, Cottingham Road, and Westcott Way, to come forward. **November 29: Harshita Brella’s Body to be Repatriated** Police announced that Ms Brella’s body would be returned to her family in India. Sentimental personal items belonging to Ms Brella would also be sent to her family to assist them in commencing funeral arrangements. Det Ch Insp Johnny Campbell, from the East Midlands major crime unit, stated: “We have worked together with Harshita’s family to arrange for her body to be repatriated to her family home this weekend.” **November 30: Vigil Held in Corby** A torch-lit walk and vigil in Ms Brella’s hometown took place from Corby Boating Lake to the Corby Cube on Friday night. Lou Cory, who organized the vigil, remarked: “We definitely want this to send a message to [Harshita’s family] to say that we are also grieving for her – and for their loss – and we feel for them at this time, when they are so far away.” A local art group also read a poem dedicated to Ms Brella, and a representative from a Northampton domestic abuse service addressed the assembled crowd. **December 3: Funeral Held in India** Dozens of individuals gathered outside Ms Brella’s family home in Delhi as her casket was laid to rest. Ms Brella’s uncle, Narender Singh, declared: “We want justice. We want the murderer to receive the maximum punishment possible.” Mr Singh, 44, further noted that the family felt frustrated by the pace of the investigation and a perceived lack of information.