UK police have launched a manhunt for Indian-origin Pankaj Lamba, suspected of murdering his 24-year-old wife, Harshita Brella. Her body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, earlier this month.
Chief Inspector Paul Cash of Northamptonshire Police confirmed that over 60 detectives are actively investigating the case. “Our inquiries lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire by her husband, Pankaj Lamba, who then transported her body to Ilford by car,” Cash said in a statement.
Authorities believe Lamba has fled the UK. Police have appealed to the public for information and released an image of the suspect. They are utilizing various investigative techniques, including CCTV footage, house-to-house inquiries, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), to piece together the sequence of events.
The investigation began on Wednesday, November 13, when Northamptonshire Police were alerted about concerns for Harshita’s welfare. Officers visited her home in Corby, Northamptonshire, but received no response. A missing person inquiry was launched, leading to the discovery of her body inside a parked car in Brisbane Road, Ilford, early Thursday morning.
A post-mortem was conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday, confirming the young woman’s tragic death. Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, senior investigating officer from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit, expressed condolences to Brella’s family and friends.
“She was a young woman with her entire life ahead of her, and it is heartbreaking that her life was cut short,” Campbell said. “We believe Harshita was attacked by someone known to her, but we are keeping an open mind. We urge anyone with relevant information to come forward.”
Police have assured the public there is no wider risk, and additional patrols are being conducted in Corby for reassurance. As per protocol, Northamptonshire Police have referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to prior contact with the victim.
Authorities are now focusing on connecting the timeline of events between Brella’s disappearance from Corby and the discovery of her body in London, approximately 145 kilometers away.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Northamptonshire Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously as investigators continue working to secure justice for Harshita Brella.
