British authorities have dispatched officers to India in pursuit of a man wanted for the alleged murder of his wife in the United Kingdom. The victim, Harshita Brella, aged 24, was reportedly strangled at her residence in Northamptonshire. Subsequently, her body was discovered in the trunk of a Vauxhall Corsa in Ilford, East London, on November 14 the previous year. Prior to her tragic death, Harshita had reached out to law enforcement, expressing concerns about the abuse she was enduring at the hands of her husband, identified as Pankaj Lamba.
A team of detectives traveled to India in July to engage with Harshita’s family and repatriate her personal effects, while Indian authorities continue their search for Lamba. Detective Superintendent Johnny Campbell acknowledged the solemn anniversary of Harshita’s passing, emphasizing their empathy for her family and loved ones.
Meanwhile, the Independent Office for Police Conduct is scrutinizing the interactions between Northamptonshire Police and the deceased woman. According to UK police reports, Harshita was murdered in Corby on the night of November 10 and transported over 100 miles to Ilford the following day.
Lamba, aged 23, is believed to have departed for India from Heathrow Airport three days before the discovery of Harshita’s body. In a notable incident, Lamba was captured on surveillance footage withdrawing a significant sum of money from an ATM in Gurugram, south of Delhi. Harshita’s sister, Sonia Dabas, expressed frustration with the lack of transparency from Northamptonshire Police and has initiated legal action in Delhi’s High Court urging the Indian government to intervene.
Reflecting on the case, Mr. Campbell underscored the complexities of the investigation and the decision to charge Lamba with murder by the Crown Prosecution Service in March 2025. While refraining from divulging specifics due to ongoing legal proceedings, Campbell confirmed that Indian authorities were informed of the charges. The commitment to securing justice for Harshita and her family remains resolute.
In a poignant account, Harshita’s mother, Sudesh Kumari, recounted her daughter’s distressing ordeal leading up to her tragic demise. She recalled Harshita’s resolve to break free from her abusive marriage, fearing for her life. Describing Harshita as a gentle and unassuming individual, Sudesh lamented the loss of her daughter.
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