Cops share new CCTV in global manhunt for ‘killer husband’ of woman ‘strangled to death’ and left in car boot
COPS investigating the murder of a woman found dead in a car boot have shared more CCTV in the manhunt for her “killer” husband.
The body of Harshita Brella, 24, was found on Thursday in a silver Vauxhall in Ilford, East London – nearly 100 miles from her home in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Cops said on Sunday they believed her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, was responsible for the killing and had since fled the country.
The fresh CCTV grabs, released this afternoon, show Lamba and a silver Vauxhall car.
Officers had previously attended Harshita’s address on November 13 after receiving a call regarding concerns for her welfare.
After the grim discovery in the capital the following morning, a forensic postmortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary gave the preliminary cause of death as strangulation.
Detectives believe Harshita was murdered in Corby on the evening of Sunday by her husband.
They suspect Lamba then transported Harshita’s body from Corby to Ilford by car.
The vehicle was left parked in Brisbane Road, Ilford, and detectives believe Lamba then fled the country.
Detectives have been piecing together hours of CCTV footage in the Corby and Ilford area to track the movements of the suspect.
They have released new images in the hope they will be a prompt to anyone who may have interacted with Lamba at any time between Sunday morning, and Monday evening, and encourage them to contact police.
Speaking today, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said: “We are working closely with policing colleagues and our partners in the CPS, and in order to secure justice for Harshita, there are certain aspects of this investigation we are unable to comment on.
“While I appreciate there is a lot of speculation in the media, we would ask people to think carefully about the obligations we have to bring justice by maintaining the integrity of the investigation.
“However, the investigation continues at pace and we are following numerous lines of inquiry.
“Our inquiries have established that Pankaj Lamba drove a Silver Vauxhall Corsa (pictured) from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of Monday, November 11.
“We suspect Harshita’s body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby.
“Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford and made his getaway.
“We are continuing to appeal for information and I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or had any sightings of Pankaj Lamba in Corby, Ilford or elsewhere in the days leading up to the discovery of Harshita’s body, to contact police as soon as possible.
“Any information, no matter how small, may be relevant to the investigation and help us get justice for Harshita.
“Specialist officers continue to provide support to Harshita’s family and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time as they try come to terms with the tragic loss of their daughter and sister.”
HEARTBROKEN FAMILY
It comes after Harshita’s heartbroken family revealed she “didn’t lead a happy life” in the UK.
Dad Satbir Brella demanded “justice” for his daughter from the family home in Delhi, India.
Her sister Sonia Dabas described how Harshita was “very excited” to move to the UK in April following an arranged marriage with Lamba.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Her father told the BBC: “I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice and I want my daughter’s body brought home.”
Harshita’s mother Sudesh Kumari added: “I just want justice for my daughter.”
Ms Dabas said her sister “didn’t live a very happy life in London“.
She continued: “She struggled a lot because of her husband. She said he was hitting her and she escaped.
“She ran out on the streets, he chased after her and hit her there as well.”
I just want justice for my daughter.
Sudesh Kumari
Sonia’s husband Tarun Dabas wrote on X: “Our world has been turned upside down.
“Harshita Brella just 24 years old was found murdered in the boot of a car in East London. Her husband Pankaj Lamba is the main suspect.
“He has now fled the country and an international manhunt is underway.
“We’re calling on the UK and Indian governments to act swiftly to capture him. Harshita deserves justice. Her voice must be heard.
“Please help us seek #JusticeForHarshitaBrella. Please help to find the suspect.”
BLISTERING ROWS
A neighbour revealed she heard two blistering rows, one involving a woman who “sounded scared”, in the days before her body was discovered.
Kelly Philp, Harshita’s neighbour in Corby, said she overheard an argument between a man and a woman on Wednesday.
“They were arguing in a different language so I couldn’t understand what was being said,” the 41-year-old told the Daily Mirror.
“But it sounded angry and there were raised voices and the woman sounded scared.
“I heard a commotion between a man and a woman and I heard banging around.
“I didn’t call police. I just thought it was a relationship argument.”
She described feeling “vulnerable” and “on edge” after learning about the fate of her neighbour.
“I feel so sad about the loss of the lass. I can’t get over it,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”
Ms Philip said she had also overheard two men arguing in a foreign language early on Saturday, shortly after she heard a back gate slam shut.