Ask Onix
Family demands answers one year after daughter's murder in UK
One year after Harshita Brella was strangled and left in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, her family in Delhi remains haunted by unanswered questions. "Why has her killer not been caught yet?" her mother, Sudesh Kumari, asked through tears, accusing both the UK and Indian governments of inaction. "I want justice for my daughter. Only then will I find peace."
The killing and the suspect
Harshita Brella, 24, was last heard from on 10 November 2024. Her body was discovered the following day in Ilford, a day after her family raised the alarm. British police believe she was murdered in Corby, Northamptonshire, by her husband, Pankaj Lamba, who fled to India shortly afterward and remains at large.
The couple, both Indian nationals, had relocated from Delhi to the UK earlier that year. In March 2025, Northamptonshire Police charged Lamba with murder, alongside allegations of rape, sexual assault, and coercive control.
Family's frustration with UK and Indian authorities
Harshita's sister, Sonia Dabas, criticized the UK police's handling of the case, suggesting neglect due to their foreign nationality. "They are sending out a message that foreign nationals are not safe in the UK," she told the BBC. The family also accuses Indian authorities of shielding Lamba, alleging he has ties to police officers and was spotted in Gurgaon earlier this year.
"He has relatives who are policemen," Sonia said, pointing to CCTV footage from March showing Lamba withdrawing money. "This is all because of corruption." Delhi Police, however, maintain they are actively searching for him, having issued public notices and offered rewards for information.
Domestic abuse warnings ignored
Two months before her death, Harshita filed a domestic abuse complaint against Lamba. He was arrested but released on bail on 3 September 2024, under a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) that expired on 1 October. Sonia claims police negligence emboldened Lamba: "He felt he could get away with murder."
Four officers from Northamptonshire Police are under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for their handling of the case. The IOPC confirmed its findings were shared with the force, which has until mid-November to respond.
Parents' grief and unanswered questions
Harshita's father, Satbir Singh Brella, spends his days shuttling between police stations and courts. "My daughter was so kind-hearted. A terrible thing happened to her," he said. Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, clings to Harshita's returned belongings-including a pair of shoes she now wears, despite the tight fit. "Sometimes I feel she's still in the UK. I cannot believe she is gone."
Lamba's family denies involvement
Lamba's parents, Sudesh and Darshan Lamba, denied all charges when approached by the BBC in their village of Dharauli, near Delhi. They claim to have had no contact with their son since 10 November 2024-the same day Harshita's family last heard from her.
Government responses
Northamptonshire Police called the case "exceptionally complex" but confirmed Indian authorities were notified of the charges. The Indian government acknowledged ongoing discussions with the UK but did not clarify whether an extradition request had been formally submitted.
