Harshita Brella

In the early hours of November 14th 2024, Harshita Brella’s body was found strangled in the boot of her husband’s Vauxhall Corsa, parked in Ilford, East London. This week Pankaj Lamba, her husband, was charged with her murder, two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Harshita was just 24 – Lamba is 23. 

Lamba is believed to have fled the country immediately after allegedly murdering Harshita. He is originally from India, but police have not said where they believe he fled to – however, Harshita’s family believe he was on a flight to Delhi that arrived on November 14th, and “may be somewhere in Haryana or near Chandigarh”, states in northern India. Daroli, a village in Haryana, is Lamba’s family home and his family still live there.

This charge came after reports that Lamba’s parents, Sunil Devi and Darshan Singh, were arrested on March 14th in India. His sister, Uma, is still being sought by police. Authorities in India have registered the case under the offence of dowry death – dowry death involves “the death of a woman … if she was subjected to cruelty or harassment for, or in connection with, a dowry demand”.

Harshita made a report of domestic abuse to police in August, and Lamba was arrested on September 3rd. He was released on bail, and Harshita was granted a Domestic Violence Protection Order against him. Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, said that Lamba “was making [Harshita’s] life miserable. She said I will not go back to him. He will kill me.”