LONDON: The family of Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old woman from Delhi, is desperately seeking justice after the grim discovery of her lifeless body in the boot of a car in East London. Pankaj Lamba, her 23-year-old husband, is the prime suspect in her brutal murder and is believed to have fled the UK, evading authorities in what has become a tragic and high-profile case.
Brella’s body was found on November 14, 2023, in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Ilford, East London, just hours after her suspected murder in Corby. Authorities believe that Lamba killed his wife on the evening of November 12 and then transported her body to Ilford, where he abandoned the car. Harshita’s family, who had not heard from her since November 10, reported her missing to Northamptonshire Police after two days of silence, triggering a frantic search for her.
The couple, who had an arranged marriage in India, had both legal and traditional ceremonies in 2023. They moved to the UK in late April and settled in Corby. Harshita’s father, Satbir Brella, described his daughter as a determined and career-focused individual who had always dreamed of becoming a teacher. He mentioned that Lamba often criticized her over trivial matters, such as not cooking meals “on time” or spending too much time talking to her mother, which further strained their relationship.
“I want my son-in-law to face justice, and I want my daughter’s body brought home,” Satbir said, vowing to seek accountability for his daughter’s brutal death.
In August 2023, Harshita confided in her father that she had left Lamba due to severe physical abuse. Her sister, Sonia Dabas, recalled Harshita telling her how Lamba chased her down the street and physically assaulted her when she tried to escape their toxic relationship.
In response to the abuse, Harshita sought legal help and was granted a domestic violence protection order in early September 2023. However, the order was valid for only 28 days, raising serious concerns about its lack of long-term protection and whether it was adequate to shield her from further harm.
Sonia Dabas revealed the oppressive conditions Harshita endured while living in the UK, where she was subjected to strict and controlling behavior by her husband. Brella was forbidden from wearing makeup or fashionable clothes, which severely impacted her sense of self. Harshita often expressed deep dissatisfaction with her life in the UK and had even asked to return to India to escape the emotional and physical abuse she faced in her marriage.
In an emotional interview with ITV News, Sonia questioned the police’s handling of her sister’s case: “She was suffering both physically and mentally. Why didn’t the police offer her proper counseling or any other support? Why wasn’t more done to protect her?”
Harshita’s mother, Sudesh Kumari, also spoke tearfully, demanding justice for her daughter: “I want him to be found and punished for what he did. It’s been so long since I saw my daughter. I just want to see her once more, with my own eyes.”
A postmortem conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary confirmed that Harshita Brella died from strangulation. As the investigation into her tragic death continues, her family remains determined in their quest for justice and closure, vowing to hold those responsible accountable. The case has gained widespread attention, drawing focus to the escalating issue of domestic violence and the urgent need for stronger legal protections for victims, particularly those facing abusive relationships in foreign countries.
