Family visit scene of Indian woman's death

The sister of a woman believed to have been murdered by her husband has described the "pain" of visiting the place where her sibling is thought to have died.

Harshita Brella, 24, had settled in Corby in Northamptonshire in 2024 after marrying Pankaj Lamba in India.

Her body was found in the boot of a Vauxhall Corsa in east London on 14 November that year. She is believed to have died by strangulation in Corby four days earlier.

During a visit to the UK on a campaign for justice, Brella's sister, Sonia Dabas, told BBC Woman's Hour that Harshita was "a pure soul, very family-oriented... just a very innocent person".

A hunt is ongoing to locate Lamba, who is believed to have left the UK for India, after a murder charge was authorised against him.

He is also accused of two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.

Four police officers are facing misconduct proceedings over their handling of abuse allegations reported by Brella, who contacted the force in August 2024.

Lamba was arrested on 3 September and released on police bail with conditions not to contact his wife, and was issued with a domestic violence protection order.

Dabas said her sister was "deeply connected" with her family back home in India, but said she had not communicated any issues with her relationship.

"She's [sic] a strong person. She was just thinking 'I will manage everything', so she didn't want to worry the family, you know, mama, papa.

"[Her death] is very shocking, but I appreciate my sister's courage and that she took legal action [prior to her killing]."

The family is due to meet Northamptonshire Police next week and last week visited both Corby and Ilford, where her body was discovered.

Dabas said: "It's more painful. I can't explain [what I felt] when I saw the place [where Harshita died and where her body was found]."

Brella's sister also told Woman's Hour that she had named her six-month-old daughter Sweetie - a nickname Harshita was known by.

"It's very special because I just feel like my sister [has] come back to me," said Dabas.

"[My family] just feel like their daughter has come back... they just get a hope for life".

In a recent statement, Northamptonshire Police said: "The investigation into Harshita's death is ongoing and we remain as determined as ever to bring the person responsible for her death to justice.

"It is an exceptionally complex case and with criminal proceedings active in the UK, we are unable to go into detail about the investigation at this time."

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