The family of Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old Indian national found dead in east London in November 2024, has travelled to the UK to demand action in the hunt for her husband, Pankaj Lamba, who is suspected of her murder. Lamba, 24, was charged with murder, rape, sexual assault and coercive behaviour in March 2025 but remains missing, believed to have fled to India.
Brella’s sister, Sonia Dabas, accompanied by their parents and her children, travelled from Delhi to Corby to meet police and MPs. Dabas expressed frustration at the lack of progress, saying: 'We talked to police … they [didn’t] give any new update. The same words are happening from the last 18 months.'
The family has criticised Northamptonshire police for their handling of Brella’s domestic abuse claims before her death. Brella had obtained a domestic violence protection order in August 2024 after reporting Lamba, who was arrested and bailed with conditions not to harass her. Dabas said Lamba and his family broke those conditions, harassing Brella and her family in India, but police took no action.
Dabas also claimed police misled Brella by telling her she could not return to India after filing the complaint. 'If she came to India at that time, she [would be] alive,' Dabas said. Northamptonshire police said misconduct hearings for two officers concluded with no action, while gross misconduct hearings for two others are pending.
The family also criticised Delhi police for failing to locate Lamba, alleging corruption and that a relative of Lamba is a police officer. Delhi police have offered a reward for information but said the search continues. Despite the ordeal, Dabas praised the support from Corby residents and the UK public.
