'Strangled, body stuffed in car boot, vehicle abandoned': How Delhi woman was killed in London?
The postmortem report of 24-year-old Harshita Brella whose body was found in a vehicle in east London on November 14, confirmed she died from strangulation, according to police.
PTC News Desk: The postmortem report of 24-year-old Harshita Brella whose body was found in a vehicle in east London on November 14, confirmed she died from strangulation, according to police.
Harshita Brella was born in Delhi and moved to the United Kingdom in April of this year, after her marriage to Pankaj Lamba in August of last year. She disappeared from her house in Northamptonshire many days before her body was found by British police.
According to authorities, Harshita was killed by her husband, Pankaj, who allegedly left the country immediately after the crime. Harshita's body, put in the car's boot, had been driven 145 miles south to Ilford before being abandoned.
"Our inquiries lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire earlier this month by her husband Pankaj Lamba," Northampton Police stated.
"We suspect Lamba transported Harshita's body from Northamptonshire to Ilford (east London) by car. We believe he has now fled the country... More than 60 detectives are working on the case and are continuing to follow numerous lines of inquiry, including house-to-house, property searches, CCTV and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition)," it further read.
Harshita was last heard from in the evening of November 10, when she told her family she was preparing dinner and waiting for her husband to return. Concern escalated when her phone was off for two days, causing her family to contact Northamptonshire Police on November 13. Officers checking her residence on Skegness Walk found no trace of her, initiating an investigation.
The following day, in the early hours of November 14, her body was found in Ilford. Pankaj had already disappeared evading authorities and launching an international manhunt.
The murder investigation revealed Harshita's history of domestic abuse. She got a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) against her spouse in September after several incidences of assault. However, despite legal measures, the threat remained.
Neighbours reported hearing arguments from the couple's house in the days leading up to her death. One recalled a particularly heated exchange in which a woman "sounded scared."
Harshita's family, residing in Delhi, expressed their grief in media interviews. Her father, Satbir Brella, defined her as a simple, ambitious young woman who aspired to be a teacher. After marrying Pankaj in an arranged marriage, she moved to the United Kingdom in April. According to Harshita's sister Sonia Dabas, she worked at a warehouse while Pankaj was a student in London.
"I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice, and I want my daughter's body returned home," Harshita's father, Satbir Brella said.
According to the family, Pankaj complained that Harshita spoke to her mother a lot or did not prepare meals on time. Harshita called her father in August to inform him that she had run away due to Pankaj's abusive behaviour.
The police released CCTV images of the silver Vauxhall Corsa, which they suspect was used to carry Harshita's body. However, Pankaj's whereabouts are unknown. Police have asked the public for information on any sightings of Pankaj or unusual activity in Corby and Ilford around the time of the murder.