A Year of Unanswered Questions

One year since 24-year-old Harshita Brella was found strangled to death in the United Kingdom, her family in Delhi, India, remains engulfed in grief and frustration. Her body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, on Monday, November 14, 2024, sparking a complex international murder investigation that has left her loved ones questioning the commitment of both British and Indian authorities. "I want justice for my daughter. Only then will I find peace," her mother, Sudesh Kumari, told reporters.

The Crime and the Accused

Northamptonshire Police believe Harshita was murdered on the evening of Thursday, November 10, 2024, in Corby, Northamptonshire, where she lived with her husband, Pankaj Lamba, now 24. Investigators suspect Lamba transported her body nearly 150 kilometers to Ilford, abandoned the vehicle, and fled the country shortly thereafter. A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death was strangulation. The couple, both Indian nationals, had moved to the UK in April 2024 following an arranged marriage.

In March 2025, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised charges against Lamba in his absence for murder, two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour. Despite an international manhunt and Indian police offering a reward for information, Lamba remains a fugitive. He has reportedly been sighted in India, with one report claiming he was seen withdrawing a large sum of cash from a bank in March 2025 and another suggesting he was operating a shop near Delhi as recently as April 2025.

A History of Domestic Abuse

The case has raised serious questions about the handling of prior domestic abuse allegations. Harshita had reported Lamba to Northamptonshire Police for domestic abuse on August 29, 2024. He was arrested on September 3 and released on bail with conditions. A Domestic Violence Protection Order was issued by a court on September 5, 2024, but it expired after 28 days. Harshita's family alleges that the police did not do enough to protect her. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the UK's police watchdog, has since served disciplinary notices to four Northamptonshire Police officers for alleged failings in their handling of her case.

The Challenges of International Justice

The search for Lamba highlights the complexities of international law enforcement and extradition. While the UK and India have had an extradition treaty since 1992, the process is often lengthy and fraught with legal challenges. Northamptonshire Police have confirmed that Indian authorities have been made aware of the charges against Lamba through the appropriate channels. In a statement on the first anniversary of Harshita's death, Detective Superintendent Johnny Campbell of Northamptonshire Police described the case as "exceptionally complex" but affirmed their determination to bring the person responsible to justice. In July 2025, Campbell travelled to India to meet with Harshita's family and return her personal belongings.

Meanwhile, Harshita's family continues their painful wait. Her sister, Sonia Dabas, has voiced deep disappointment with the pace of the investigation. "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," she stated. The family's plea for justice echoes across continents, a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the procedural hurdles that can hinder the pursuit of accountability across borders.