Family of Harshita Brella to visit UK for talks

The family of a woman whose body was found in the boot of a car sparking an international manhunt are to visit the UK "to demand justice".

Harshita Brella, 24, was found in the car in Ilford, east London, in November 2024 — 100 miles (160km) from her home in Corby, Northamptonshire.

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

Northamptonshire Police said it was "aware" of the visit and added that "arrangements are being made for the senior investigating officer to meet with them during their time" in the county.

Last year, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) instructed Northamptonshire Police to open misconduct proceedings against four police officers over their handling of abuse allegations reported by Brella prior to her death.

The IOPC said she had contacted the force on 29 August 2024, alleging abuse.

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

Brella's body was discovered in the boot of a Vauxhall Corsa on 14 November. It was believed she died by strangulation in Corby on the evening of 10 November.

The dead woman's family, including her sister Dabas, father Satbir Singh Brella and mother Sudesh Kumari, are due to arrive in the UK later this week.

Their visit has been supported by the Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council (NREC) and the women's rights group Indian Ladies in UK (ILUK).

NREC said the Brella family was "seeking to meet with authorities and speak publicly about their grief, anguish and their ongoing fight for justice".

Anjona Roy, chief executive of NREC, said: "They [the Brella family] have waited more than a year with very limited progress.

"They deserve clarity, accountability, and urgent action.

"This case raises serious concerns about how domestic abuse cases are handled and highlights the risks faced by women, particularly those who may be isolated or new to the UK.

"Systems must do better to protect those at risk."

Poonam Joshi, founder of ILUK, said: "Abuse of migrant Indian women like Harshita Brella is endemic in the UK as evident by the hundreds of such victims that ILUK has worked with over the years.

"These victims become completely isolated when they travel to the UK and have little or no access to the support that Harshita, for example, tragically needed.

"It's a hidden epidemic in our communities that must be dealt with urgently".

In its statement, Northamptonshire Police added: "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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