Update: One year on from Harshita Brella's murder
One year after the body of a Corby women was discovered in the boot of a car outside London, and her family are calling for justice!
As the first anniversary of Harshita Brella’s murder approaches, Northamptonshire Police say their thoughts remain with her loved ones as their investigation continues.
The 24-year-old from Corby was last in contact with her family on November 10, 2024. Her body was discovered four days later in the boot of a car in Ilford, East London.
A post-mortem confirmed she had been raped and strangled.
Detectives believe Harshita was killed in Corby on the evening of November 10 and have previously appealed for information from anyone who was in the Cottingham Road area that night.
CCTV showed Harshita and her husband, Pankaj Lamba, together at Corby Boating Lake around 6:30pm.
In March 2025, the Crown Prosecution Service charged, her husband, Lamba with her murder.
He is believed to have fled to India, and UK authorities are working with Indian officials to secure justice.
Detective Superintendent Johnny Campbell said:
“This remains an exceptionally complex case. We are determined to bring the person responsible for Harshita’s death to justice and continue to support her family through this process.”
Harshita’s family in India have spoken of their heartbreak.
Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, said she wants nothing more than justice for her daughter.
Her sister, Sonia, described feeling “like something is missing from my body.”
Corby MP Lee Barron has continued to press for answers, writing to the Home Secretary and Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet for updates on efforts to locate Lamba and on lessons learned to better protect victims of domestic abuse.
“Harshita was a much-loved friend and colleague,” Barron said.
“Her death had a profound impact on our community, and we must ensure one else suffers as she did.”
We also spoke to Amrit S Maan, a London based solicitor who is in touch with the family, he said:
"She was a loving, caring sister and daughter."
"She'd gone to UK with promised a new life and they are just stunned." He went onto say:
"And I think the sister Sonia and the mum feel as if they've not lost her. She's just still abroad in the UK"
Police urge anyone with information to come forward as the investigation enters its second year.
Link for JUSTGIVING page:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/27w4m