‘We will never forget you’: family of Harshita Brella pay tribute

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/22/harshita-brella-family-tribute

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Brella’s body was found in a vehicle in east London this month and her husband is the main suspect

The family of Harshita Brella, who was found dead in the boot of a car in east London, have said they “will never forget you till our last breath”.

They said in a tribute issued through Northamptonshire police on Friday: “Harshita, you left this world but you are still with us in our hearts and will always be there. We will never forget you till our last breath. Always stay with us. We miss you in every very moment of our life.”

The body of Brella, 24, was found inside the boot of a vehicle in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of 14 November. Detectives believe she was killed in Corby, Northamptonshire, on the evening of 10 November.

Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, 23, is the main suspect in the killing and police believe he has fled the country.

Brella, an Indian citizen, was living in Northamptonshire having moved to the UK in April shortly after an arranged marriage to Lamba.

On Thursday, Northamptonshire police released CCTV footage showing Brella and Lamba at Corby boating lake on the evening she is believed to have been killed, as detectives appealed for witnesses to come forward who may have seen them.

“Any information you have may help us piece together exactly what happened to Harshita and help bring her killer to justice,” said DCI Johnny Campbell, of the East Midlands special operations major crime unit.

Brella’s family, who live in India, have criticised the police and said they failed to protect her after she filed a complaint alleging domestic abuse by her husband weeks before her death.

“I believe the police did not do enough to help her or protect my sister,” her elder sister, Sonia Dabas, told the Guardian. “She reported her abuse but the police processes just made her feel even more scared and alone. It drove her back to Pankaj.”

The Northamptonshire police assistant chief constable, Emma James, said Brella was identified as being at high risk of domestic abuse and assigned an independent domestic violence adviser, and a safety plan was formulated.

She said Brella was placed in a refuge and visited by officers on a number of occasions, while “the alleged perpetrator was identified, quickly arrested and bailed with conditions”.

A 28-day domestic violence protection order was authorised at Northampton magistrates court on 5 September, Jones said, while investigations against the alleged perpetrator continued.

Northamptonshire police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of their previous contact with Brella, and a domestic homicide review is under way internally.