Justice Delayed: Family of Murdered Woman in Limbo One Year Later

Mon Nov 10 2025 03:45:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A year after Harshita Brella was brutally murdered in the UK, her family questions the slow progress in her murder investigation as the suspect remains on the run. A heartrending plea for justice reflects the struggles faced by families of victims.

Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old woman, was found dead in the boot of a car in London a year ago. Her family in Delhi is frustrated over the lack of progress in capturing her husband, the primary suspect, who fled to India after the murder. They accuse authorities of negligence and corruption, questioning the seriousness of the investigation into her domestic abuse complaints. Harshita's family continues to seek justice amid ongoing investigations and their grief for her loss.

One year since Harshita Brella was strangled to death in the UK, there is a sense of disbelief in her family home in the Indian capital Delhi.

Why has her killer not been caught yet? Neither the UK government nor the Indian government are doing anything, Harshita's mother Sudesh Kumari says, sobbing into her scarf. I want justice for my daughter. Only then will I find peace.

Harshita's body was found in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, on 14 November 2024, a day after her family contacted UK police to say they had not heard from her since 10 November.

Police believe Harshita, 24, was murdered on that day in Corby, Northamptonshire, by her husband Pankaj Lamba, who fled to India soon after the killing and is still on the run.

The couple, both Indian nationals, had moved from Delhi to the UK, settling in Corby earlier that year.

In March this year, police in Northamptonshire charged him with murder. He also faces charges of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.

Harshita's sister Sonia Dabas is frustrated with the pace of investigations, saying, We are very disappointed with the UK police. Maybe because we are not citizens of the UK, that's why they are not serious about this case. They are sending out a message that foreign nationals are not safe in the UK, she told the BBC.

Roughly two months before Harshita was killed, on 3 September, she had filed a case of domestic abuse against her husband. He was arrested and later released on bail on condition that he did not harass, pester or intimidate Harshita. The Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) expired four weeks later, on 1 October.

Four officers of the Northamptonshire Police are being investigated over their handling of Harshita's domestic abuse report and their interaction with her, by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Harshita's family also told the BBC that they believe Pankaj Lamba is in India, being shielded by Indian police.

Harshita's father, Satbir Singh Brella, is filled with grief, making frequent visits to police stations and courts, while wearing his daughter's shoes returned from the UK, symbolizing his connection to her.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has stated they are actively searching for Pankaj and are following leads, yet the family remains skeptical about the seriousness of the efforts made.