Family Asks Why Murdered 12-Month Hasn’t Been Caught

A year since HarhSita Brella was beaten to death in the UK, there is a sense of disbelief at her family home in India’s Capital Delhi.

“Why is her killer still not caught? Neither the UK government nor the Indian government is doing anything,” Harhita’s mother Sudesh Kumari says, crying into her scarf. “I want justice for my daughter. This is also where I will find peace.”

Harhtita’s body was found in the boot of a car in Ilford, East London, on 14 November 2024, a day after her family had not heard from her since 10 November.

Police believe Harlashita, 24, was killed that day in Corby, Northamptonshire, by her husband pankaj lamba, who fled to India shortly after the killing and is still at large.

The couple, both Indian nationals, moved from Delhi to the UK, settling in Corby, earlier this year.

In March this year, police in Northamptonshire ordered him to be killed. He also faces charges of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behavior.

Hurthita’s sister Sonia Dabas was disappointed by the speed of the reviews.

“We are very weak with the UK police. Maybe because we are not UK citizens, so they are not taking this case seriously. They are sending a message that the UK is not safe,” he told the BBC.

Almost two months before Harlasha was killed, on 3 September, he filed a case of domestic abuse against his wife. He was arrested and later released on bail on the condition that he did not harass, pester or intimidate Harsita.

The domestic protection order (DVPO) expired four weeks ago, on 1 October.

Sonia has accused Northamptonshire police of neglecting to follow up on the domestic abuse case. “That was when PankaJ thought the UK police were not taking the case seriously and he felt he could get away with murder,” he said.

Four Northamptonshire Police officers are being investigated over their handling of the disclosure of Harshita’s abuse and their dealings with her, by the independent office for police oversight (IOPC).

The IOPC told the BBC this week that their investigation had been completed and shared with Northamptonshire police. Northamptonshire police said it had been given until mid-November to respond to the Iopc’s findings.

Northamptonshire police said: “This is an incredibly complex case and details are now being investigated through the appropriate charging channels to make a decision.”

The Indian government told the BBC that they had met with the UK government on the matter, but it was not clear whether an extradition notice was for the Indian authorities.

Harstaita’s family also told the BBC that they believed Pankaj Lambsa was in India, protected by the Indian police.

“He has relatives who are police officers. In March. That year, he was seen on CCTV footage withdrawing money from a bank. Then it was all due to corruption,” said Sonia. The family also said that they have information that in the first months of this year, Pankaj was running a shop in Gurgaon, not far from where they live.

“They [the Delhi Police] It’s just the times to kill,” said Sonia.

The Delhi police did not respond to Sonia’s accusations. They told the BBC that they acted on the basis of a dowry complaint filed by Harshita’s parents against Mr. Lamba and members of his family, including his parents and sister, who were arrested and are now out on bail.

Delhi Police also said they had issued public notices earlier this year offering a reward for information about Mr Lamba, and the search for him was still ongoing.

Pankaj Lamba’s family home is in the village of Dharauli, about 40 miles (65km) north of Delhi, and not far from Gurgaon where Gur Brella’s family believes he was seen in March. His parents Sudesh and Darshan Lamba did not want to be interviewed during the BBC visit.

But they rejected all the charges against them and their son. They claimed they had no contact with him since 10 November 2024 – the same day Harhita’s family finally spoke to him.

For Harthita’s father Satbir Singh Brella, the days are filled with visits to police stations and courts.

“My daughter is very straight, and kind hearted. A terrible thing happened to her,” he said.

His mother pointed to the shoes he was wearing. Harhita’s and his belongings from the UK were returned to his family by British officials who visited them in July.

“They are tight for me, but I feel like I’m almost wearing them,” said Sadesh Kumari. “Sometimes I feel like he’s still in the UK, I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Additional Reporting: Aakriti Thapar, Adnan Bhat, Sanjay gangulaly