1 week ago
Harshita Brella’s Family Retraces Final Days, Seeks Justice
Harshita Brella was a woman who lived in the United Kingdom.
She told police that her husband had abused her and was placed under protection.
She was last seen alive in November 2024.
Police say she was murdered in Northamptonshire.
Her body was later found inside a car in Ilford.
Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, is accused but has not been found.
Harshita’s parents visited the places connected to her final days to seek answers.
They also met investigators and raised concerns about how police protected her.
Four police officers face disciplinary proceedings related to the case.
Harshita Brella’s family visited Corby and Ilford in May 2026 to retrace her final days.
Police allege she was murdered in Northamptonshire and her body was found in a car in Ilford on November 14, 2024.
Brella had reported domestic abuse, been classified as high risk, and placed under police protection before her death.
Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, is the main accused and remains untraced; Indian authorities declared him a proclaimed offender.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct determined that four officers should face disciplinary proceedings over their handling of her case.
- Who
- Harshita Brella, her family, her husband Pankaj Lamba, and investigators in the United Kingdom and India.
- What
- Brella’s family retraced her final days while seeking answers about her alleged murder and the police handling of her domestic-abuse complaint.
- Where
- The family visited Corby and Ilford in England; related legal proceedings are also taking place in Delhi.
- When
- Brella reported abuse on August 29, 2024, died on November 10, 2024, and her family retraced her final days in May 2026.
- Why
- The family wanted justice and information because Lamba remains untraced and the investigation has not reached a conclusion.
Family’s Concerns
Investigators’ Position
Police protection
Family’s Concerns
The family questions whether police did enough after classifying Brella as being at high risk of domestic abuse.
Investigators’ Position
The Independent Office for Police Conduct investigated four officers and said disciplinary panels must determine whether the allegations are proven.
Transparency
Family’s Concerns
The family said it was unfairly excluded from the private misconduct hearing and received few details about the investigation.
Investigators’ Position
Investigators said they could not disclose sensitive information while the case remains ongoing.
Progress toward justice
Family’s Concerns
The family says the lack of an arrest or conclusion has left them seeking answers nearly two years later.
Investigators’ Position
UK investigators say they continue working with agencies internationally, while Indian police say tracing Lamba remains their primary focus.
Key facts
- Last known sighting
- CCTV showed Harshita Brella walking with Pankaj Lamba near the Corby Boating Club.
- Reported abuse
- Brella reported domestic abuse to police on August 29, 2024.
- Protection status
- She was classified as high risk, placed in a refuge, and assigned an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser.
- Death investigation
- Northamptonshire Police allege she was murdered in Northamptonshire and transported to Ilford.
- Body discovered
- Her body was found in the boot of a car in Ilford on November 14, 2024.
- Accused husband
- Pankaj Lamba was declared a proclaimed offender in India in May 2025 and remains untraced.
- Police discipline
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct determined that four officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
Quotes
Sudesh Kumari
Harshita Brella’s mother
“There are serious concerns about how the unit handled the case and whether they gave Harshita enough protection. We will have answers to these questions only when the proceedings are made public.”
indianexpress.com
“So far we don’t know if he killed her at her house, or his house, or the lake, or where”
indianexpress.com
Johnny Campbell
Detective superintendent involved in the UK investigation
“The investigation into Harshita Brella’s death is ongoing… we are continuing to work with the appropriate agencies both in the UK and internationally. We remain as determined as ever to secure justice for Harshita and her family.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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