Harshita Brella’s Mother Informs BBC of Daughter’s Fear Husband Would Kill Her

Harshita Brella reportedly informed her mother that her husband “was going to kill her” several weeks prior to the discovery of her body in the trunk of a vehicle in east London. Law enforcement officials suspect the 24-year-old was fatally strangled in Corby, Northamptonshire, on 10 November, then transported to Ilford, where her remains were discovered on 14 November. Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, is considered the primary suspect in the murder inquiry. “He was making her life miserable,” Harshita’s mother, Sudesh Kumari, tearfully conveyed to the BBC. She added, “She said I will not go back to him. He will kill me.” Harshita’s relatives believe Mr. Lamba is currently in India, but stated that law enforcement officials in that country were “not listening” to their concerns. Indian local police informed the BBC that British authorities have not yet sought their involvement. Satbir Brella, 53, holding a framed photograph of his daughter, wept in the family’s simply furnished living room in Delhi while pleading for justice. In an interview with the BBC, he recounted, “I used to say to her, when I die I want you to perform my final rites.” He continued, “I had no idea that I would have to do hers.” The family further disclosed that Harshita experienced a miscarriage in the weeks preceding her demise. Delhi Police stated they are unable to conduct their own investigation due to the alleged crime having occurred in the UK. They added that without a formal complaint filed in India, their capacity to act is significantly limited. Northamptonshire Police reported that its investigation “continues at pace” and that it is “following numerous lines of enquiry,” though it did not verify if contact had been made with Indian authorities. Assistant Chief Constable Emma James further stated: “Maintaining the integrity of our investigation and securing justice for Harshita is our number one priority and as a result of that, there are certain aspects of this case that we are unable to comment on at the moment.” Both Mr. Brella and Harshita’s sister, Sonia Dabas, indicated they had been informed that Mr. Lamba had physically assaulted his wife, but claimed the full extent of the abuse only became apparent when Harshita tearfully telephoned her father on 29 August. Mr. Brella recounted, “She said ‘he beat me really badly. He even beat me in the street’.” He added, “My daughter was crying, crying so hard.” Mr. Lamba was apprehended on 3 September and, upon his release on bail two days later, became subject to a domestic violence protection order (DVPO). This order prohibited him from harassing, pestering, or intimidating Harshita, and he was also required to pay £480 in police costs. The order remained in effect for 28 days, lapsing on 1 October; however, Ms. Dabas stated that Harshita and her family were under the impression it would expire on 24 November. Northamptonshire Police affirmed that they had informed Harshita of the actual expiry date. Harshita and Mr. Lamba entered into an arranged marriage, with their legal wedding ceremony taking place in August 2023. The couple participated in a traditional Indian ceremony on 22 March of this year, and Harshita departed for the UK at the close of April to reunite with her husband, who was already residing in Corby. Ms. Dabas remarked, “She was very gullible.” She continued, “Very trusting of people. She was still a kid. Her heart was pure.” Harshita’s mother recounted last seeing her daughter at the New Delhi airport on the day she departed to commence her new life in the UK. Sudesh tearfully stated, “She was crying a lot saying goodbye to me. I didn’t know she was saying goodbye to me for the last time.” Seated beside her mother on a cream-colored plastic chair, Ms. Dabas asserted that Harshita’s husband exhibited significant control from the outset. She commented, “I personally did not like him.” She further explained, “He told her that you shouldn’t speak to your sister. Harshita asked us not to call her, instead she would call us when Pankaj was not around.” “He was manipulating her. He was selling her a dream of a good life. She was taken by it. She believed him. She kept falling into his trap,” Ms. Dabas elaborated. Ms. Dabas stated that her sister lacked access to any funds. Harshita’s bank account and the earnings from her warehouse employment were entirely managed by her husband. She further claimed, “She couldn’t even buy a chocolate for herself.” She concluded, “She was living a life of torture. Mentally and physically.” Upon Mr. Lamba’s arrest, police identified Harshita as being at high risk for domestic abuse and consequently placed her in a refuge for her protection. Jason Smithers, leader of North Northamptonshire Council, confirmed that a safety plan for Harshita was developed concurrently. Her sister indicated that it was at this point Harshita became ill and required a hospital visit, where she discovered she was pregnant. However, she miscarried the baby within days. Harshita’s family reached out to Northamptonshire Police, expressing concerns for her well-being, three days following their last communication with her. This outreach resulted in the discovery of her body and the initiation of a murder investigation. The police force has self-referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC, a compulsory action due to prior interactions between officers and Harshita. Dozens of individuals assembled outside the Brella family residence for her funeral in India on 3 December, following the repatriation of her body. ACC James confirmed that Northamptonshire Police maintained consistent communication with Harshita’s family. She further stated: “I want to be clear that we are absolutely committed to securing justice for Harshita Brella and her family, and a team of detectives across the region continue to work around the clock on the case.” “When we are able to give more information to the general public about our investigation and the search for Harshita’s killer, we will of course do so,” she concluded. Aakriti Thapar provided additional reporting. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.