Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Harshita Brella Family Renews Justice Campaign as Husband Remains Wanted
Harshita Brella was a 24-year-old woman who asked police for help after reporting domestic abuse.
Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, was arrested but later released on bail with conditions.
Harshita was found dead in the boot of a car in east London.
Police believe she was killed in Corby and that her body was then moved.
Lamba is wanted and is believed to be in India.
Prosecutors have authorised several charges against him, but the allegations have not been tested in court.
Harshita’s family wants British and Indian authorities to work more closely to find him.
Four police officers will face misconduct proceedings over how her original report was handled.
Harshita Brella reported domestic abuse to Northamptonshire Police on August 29, 2024.
She was found dead in a car boot in Ilford on November 14, 2024.
Police believe she was murdered in Corby before her body was taken to London.
Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, is wanted over murder, rape, sexual assault and coercive-control allegations.
Four Northamptonshire officers face misconduct proceedings over the handling of her domestic-abuse report.
- Who
- Harshita Brella, her family, Northamptonshire Police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and wanted suspect Pankaj Lamba.
- What
- Brella’s family has renewed its Justice4Harshita campaign, seeking progress in the investigation and accountability over the handling of her domestic-abuse report.
- When
- Brella reported abuse on August 29, 2024; she was found dead on November 14, 2024; charges were authorised in March 2025; the family renewed its campaign two years later.
- Where
- Brella was believed to have been killed in Corby, her body was found in Ilford, and Lamba is believed to be in India.
- Why
- The family wants Lamba located and brought before a court, while also seeking answers about the police response to Brella’s report.
Family and campaign concerns
Official legal and disciplinary process
Locating Lamba
Family and campaign concerns
The family and Justice4Harshita campaign are calling for stronger cooperation between UK and Indian authorities to locate Lamba and bring him before a court.
Official legal and disciplinary process
Authorities have authorised charges and continue to treat Lamba as wanted in connection with the investigation; he is believed to be in India.
Police handling
Family and campaign concerns
The family and its supporters continue to ask questions about whether Brella received adequate protection after reporting domestic abuse.
Official legal and disciplinary process
The IOPC has referred four officers to misconduct proceedings, while stressing that an independent disciplinary panel will decide whether the allegations are proven.
Accountability for the allegations
Family and campaign concerns
The family wants answers and justice for Brella, whom supporters say should still be alive.
Official legal and disciplinary process
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges, but the allegations against Lamba have not been tested in court.
- Victim
- Harshita Brella, aged 24
- Domestic-abuse report
- Made to Northamptonshire Police on August 29, 2024
- Death
- Brella was found in the boot of a car in Ilford on November 14, 2024
- Police belief
- She was murdered in Corby on November 10, 2024, and her body was transported to London
- Wanted suspect
- Pankaj Lamba, believed to have fled to India
- Authorised charges
- Murder, two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour
- Police proceedings
- Four Northamptonshire Police officers face misconduct proceedings
- Family campaign
- Justice4Harshita is seeking UK-India cooperation and public support