GEAR MAG: Harshita Brella's family renew call for justice

Harshita Brella's family renew call for justiceJames Grant - NorthamptonshireThu, November 12, 2026 at 6:28 AM UTC

Harshita Brella's body was found in the boot of a car in London in November 2024

The family of Harshita Brella have renewed calls for justice two years after her death.

The body of the 24-year-old was found in a car in east London in November 2024, 100 miles (160km) from her home in Corby, Northamptonshire.

A hunt to locate her husband Pankaj Lamba, who is believed to have left the UK for India, is ongoing after a murder charge was authorised against him.

Sonia Dabas, Brella's sister, said: "Two years have passed, but our pain and our longing for Harshita have never faded. Our lives and our family feel incomplete without her. We strongly appeal to the UK authorities and police: please deliver justice to my sister."

A post-mortem examination found the preliminary cause of Brella's death to be strangulation.

Det Supt Johnny Campbell, of Northamptonshire Police, said the force remained determined to secure justice for her, and its "thoughts remain with her family and all who loved her".

Lee Barron, Labour MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, said he was continuing to work with the family to "ensure that justice is delivered".

Sonia Dabas and some other members of Harshita Brella's family came to the UK from India in the summer

In August 2024, Brella contacted Northamptonshire Police and said Lamba had abused her.

He was arrested and released on bail, with a condition not to contact her.

The following month, she was given a domestic violence protection order lasting 28 days, but on 14 November her body was found with signs she had been strangled four days earlier.

A murder charge was authorised against Lamba, who was also accused of two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.

In May this year, the family travelled to the UK from India and had a meeting with Northamptonshire Police, while a misconduct meeting was being held relating to two officers who were in contact with Brella prior to her death.

The results of that are yet to be shared, while a disciplinary investigation against two other officers remains under way.

Dabas added: "Our fight will continue until justice is served. Please stand with us and help us get justice for Harshita."

The family have offered a reward for information relating to the whereabouts of Pankaj Lamba

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