New Delhi:
On the morning of 11 November, police spotted a silver Vauxhall Corsa parked on Brisbane Road in Ilford, East London. Whose sensation spread when a dead body was found in his trunk. The name of the 24-year-old woman whose body was found in the trunk of the car was Harshita Brela. Harshita Bela was an Indian woman, who was born in Delhi. But after marrying Pankaj Lamba in August last year, she went to the United Kingdom in April this year. Where just a few days ago, she had gone missing from her home in Northamptonshire. Post mortem examination of the body revealed that Harshita was strangled to death.
Husband absconds after killing wife
According to the police, the suspicion of Harshita’s murder is on her husband Pankaj (23), who allegedly fled the country soon after committing the crime. Harshita’s body, hidden in the trunk of the car, was taken to Ilford, 145 kilometers south. Northampton Police said, “Our investigation leads us to suspect that Harshita was murdered by her husband Pankaj Lamba in Northamptonshire earlier this month.” He says that Lamba transported Harshita’s body by car from Northamptonshire to Ilford (East London). We believe he has now fled the country… Over 60 detectives are working on this case and carrying out a range of investigations including door to door, property searches, CCTV and ANPR.
When did Harshita last talk to her family?
Harshita was last talked to on the evening of November 10, when she told her family that she was cooking dinner and waiting for her husband to return. Concern grew when his phone remained switched off for two days, leading to his family contacting Northamptonshire Police on 13 November. Officers who went to his home on Skegness Walk found no trace of him, following which an investigation was launched. The following morning, 14 November, his body was found in Ilford. By then, Pankaj had disappeared after dodging the authorities and an international search for him had begun.
Harshita, victim of domestic violence
The investigation into the murder revealed that Harshita also faced domestic violence. In September, she was granted a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) against her husband following incidents of abuse. However, even after taking legal help, she continued to face these situations. Neighbors said that in the days before her death, arguments were heard coming from the couple’s house. One recalled a particularly intense confrontation in which a woman was “scared.”
I wanted to become a teacher
Harshita’s family, living in Delhi, shared their pain while talking to the media. Her father, Satbir Brela, described her as a simple, determined young woman who aspired to become a teacher. After marrying Pankaj, she moved to UK in April 2023. According to Harshita’s sister Sonia Dabas, she worked at a place and Pankaj was a student in London.
Harshita’s family demanded justice
Harshita’s father Satbir Brela was quoted by BBC as saying, “I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice and I want my daughter’s body to be brought home.” Sonia said, “She was a part of me and I was a part of her. Now I feel that I can’t do anything in life without her.” She further said that Harshita had earlier run away from home after being attacked by Pankaj, but returned in the hope of saving the marriage. According to the family, Pankaj had complained that Harshita talked to her mother too much or did not spend time with her. But she doesn’t cook.
Harshita was troubled by the fight
In August, Harshita called her father and told him that she had left because of Pankaj’s violent behavior. CCTV images released by police show a silver Vauxhall Corsa, which investigators believe was used to transport Harshita’s body. However, Pankaj’s whereabouts are not known at present. Police have appealed to the public to provide any information they may have about any sightings of Pankaj or suspicious activity in Corby and Ilford at the time of the murder.
