Harshita Brella's parents 'in pain' during UK visit

The mother of an Indian woman believed to have been murdered by her husband said she "never anticipated" visiting her daughter's home in England under such "tragic circumstances".

Harshita Brella, 24, had settled in Corby, Northamptonshire, in May 2024 after marrying Pankaj Lamba in India, her family said.

Her body was found in the boot of a Vauxhall Corsa in East London on 14 November 2024 - it was believed she died by strangulation in Corby four days earlier.

During a visit to the UK Ms Brella's sister, Sonia Dabas, told ITV News "her pain, strength and memories are inside me and I'm going to get justice for my sister".

She was speaking as members of Ms Brella's family, from India, were visiting Northamptonshire as part of their campaign for justice.

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

He is also accused of two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.

Four police officers are facing misconduct proceedings over their handling of abuse allegations reported by Ms Brella, who contacted the force in August 2024.

Lamba was arrested on 3 September and released on police bail with conditions not to contact his wife, and issued with a domestic violence protection order.

Ms Brella's mother, Sudesh Kumari, speaking via an interpreter, said: "Whenever she would call she would say she is fine and happy and enjoying life."

"She would say to me, 'Mummy, I will bring you over here, my life is happy, I will bring you when I have some money and my own house'.

"I never anticipated that I would have to travel to Corby under these tragic circumstances. I feel so sad about coming here without her," she added.

During their trip, Ms Brella's family went to a lake where she had been seen shortly before her death.

Her father, Satbir Singh, told ITV News: "It gives me a pain to see this place again. I would have come with her. Now that I have seen this place, I miss my daughter a lot."

In a recent statement, Northamptonshire Police said: "The investigation into Harshita's death is ongoing and we remain as determined as ever to bring the person responsible for her death to justice.

"It is an exceptionally complex case and with criminal proceedings active in the UK, we are unable to go into detail about the investigation at this time."

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