Drowned, booted, abandoned: How her husband killed Harshita Brella in England | World News

The body of a 24-year-old Indian woman named Harshita Brella was found in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa parked on Brisbane Road in Ilford, East London, on 11 November. April after her marriage to 23-year-old Pankaj Lamba.

Harshita was reported missing from her home in Northamptonshire a few days before the grim discovery. An autopsy performed on November 14 confirmed that she had been strangled to death.

Police investigations revealed Lamba allegedly killed Harshita in Corby on the evening of 10 November. Harshita is suspected of driving 160 miles from Corby to Ilford in the car where his body was eventually found.

Authorities are piecing together the events leading up to the tragedy, and Lamba is now the prime suspect. The case sent shockwaves through the local community and further investigations are ongoing.

The incident also highlighted the challenges faced by young immigrants who face personal and cultural pressures, sparking debate about domestic abuse and support for vulnerable individuals in the diaspora.

“We believe Lamba took Harshita’s body from Northamptonshire to Ilford in east London. We believe he has now fled the country. House-to-house, property searches, CCTV and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) are just tools working on the case,” the police statement said. “These are just a few of the many investigations that more than 60 detectives continue to pursue.”

investigations

Police claim that they received a call on November 13 alerting them to Harshita’s disappearance. They went to Corby’s house in Skegness Walk but could not find him.

Her body was found in the boot of a car on Brisbane Road in London’s Ilford district after a missing person investigation was launched.

Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell said: “She was a young woman in her early 20s with her whole life ahead of her and it is absolutely tragic that her life was cut short in this way.” More than 60 investigators were actively investigating the matter, Northamptonshire Police Chief Inspector Paul Cash said on Sunday.

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When Harshita last spoke to her family on the evening of November 10, she informed them that she was preparing for dinner and was waiting for her husband to come home. When his phone did not work for two days, his family became concerned and called Northamptonshire Police on 13 November.

“We are still seeking information and I would urge anyone who may have seen Pankaj Lamba in Corby, Ilford, or anywhere else in the days before Harshita’s death was discovered, to contact police immediately if they see anything suspicious. Even the slightest information is important to the investigation.” It can happen and help Harshita get justice.”

“Harshita’s family continues to receive support from specialist officers and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time as they try to cope with the tragic loss of their daughter and sister,” the official said.

history of domestic abuse

According to the murder investigation, Harshita had a history of domestic violence. A Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) was filed against his wife in September after she was assaulted. However, despite the judicial proceedings, the threat continued.

In the days before his death, neighbors claimed they heard arguments coming from the couple’s home. One described a particularly heated exchange when a lady “looked scared.”

Harshita’s father, Satbir Brella, told the BBC: “I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice and my daughter’s body to be brought home.” Harshita had earlier left her home because Pankaj was abusing her, but she returned to save her marriage.

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The family claims that Pankaj had expressed concerns about Harshita talking to her mother too much or not cooking meals on time. Harshita contacted her father in August and said that she had run away due to Pankaj’s aggressive attitude.

According to police, Harshita was protected by a domestic violence injunction that prohibited her husband from contacting or threatening her.

His father told the BBC that the family wanted to return his body to India. “If his soul finds peace, maybe we can too,” he said.