UK Police Hunt Pankaj Lamba After Wife Harshita Brella’s Murder

UK authorities are intensifying their search for Pankaj Lamba, the husband accused of murdering his wife, Harshita Brella, after she was found strangled and hidden in the boot of a car in Ilford, East London, on November 14, 2024. The 24-year-old victim is believed to have been killed days earlier in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Lamba fled to India shortly after the murder and has since remained missing, prompting UK police to travel to India as part of the ongoing investigation. Reports suggest that earlier this year, Lamba was operating a snack and vegetable shop in Delhi near his childhood home, keeping a low profile with a covered face and often accompanied by a woman and young child. The shop has since closed and transformed into an egg store.

Harshita Brella and Lamba, both originally from Delhi, had moved to the UK earlier in 2024. In March, Northamptonshire Police charged Lamba with murder, rape, sexual assault, and coercive behavior. However, he had previously been released on bail following domestic abuse complaints filed by Harshita, with restrictions that had expired just a month before her death.

Her family has expressed frustration over the handling of the case. Brella’s mother, Sudesh Kumari, demanded justice, saying, “Why has her killer not been caught yet? Neither the UK government nor the Indian government are doing anything. I want justice for my daughter. Only then will I find peace.” Her sister, Sonia Dabas, criticized authorities for ignoring the case, highlighting the family’s disappointment with both the UK and Indian governments.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently reviewing the conduct of four Northamptonshire Police officers in handling Harshita’s domestic abuse complaints. The IOPC report has been completed and shared with the police force, which is expected to respond by mid-November.

As the search continues, UK authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Lamba’s whereabouts to come forward, emphasizing the urgency in bringing him to justice for Harshita Brella.