Police investigating the tragic death of Harshita Brella, who was found dead in the boot of a car, have released a new picture of the victim - potentially taken on the day she was killed.
Harshita Brella's body was found in east London earlier last week, triggering an international manhunt for her husband Pankaj Lamba - who is suspected of murder. Dozens of detectives are now investigating the circumstances around the 24-year-old's death and are searching for Lamba, who is the prime suspect and is believed to have fled the country.
Detectives working on the case suspect Harshita was murdered in Corby, Northmaptonshire, on the evening of Sunday, November 10. They have now released CCTV still taken of her taken at a boating lake as the investigation goes on.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said: “Our inquiries have established that Pankaj and Harshita were in the area of the boating lake on Sunday evening, and as part of our ongoing investigation we have carried out searches in the surrounding area.
“We know it’s a busy part of the town and there will have been a lot of passing traffic. As such, we’re appealing to anyone who was in Corby between 6pm and 9pm on Sunday, November 10, specifically in the area around the Corby Boating Lake, Cottingham Road and Westcott Way.
“If you have any dashcam footage, or other information that may be relevant to the investigation, however small, please contact us as soon as possible. Any information you have may help us piece together exactly what happened to Harshita and help bring her killer to justice.”
Police today also revealed how, in August, Northamptonshire Police received a report of domestic abuse by Harshita. Following her death, a review of the Force’s handling of this investigation was carried out.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma James said: “Following Harshita’s death, Northamptonshire Police reviewed the Force’s handling of an investigation which was launched following a domestic abuse allegation by Harshita Brella on August 29. The investigation was owned by a specialist detective from within the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team.
“Harshita was identified as being at high risk of domestic abuse and was immediately assigned an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA). A referral was also made to the MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference), sharing information with partners and collectively formulating a safety plan. Harshita was placed in a refuge and visited and contacted by officers on a number of occasions throughout the investigation.
“The alleged perpetrator was identified, quickly arrested and bailed with conditions. Northamptonshire Police actively sought and obtained a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) and a Domestic Violence Protection Order was authorised at Northampton Magistrates Court on September 5 which remained in place for 28 days whilst the investigations continued against the alleged perpetrator. This case has been referred for a Domestic Homicide Review which will seek to identify any learning.”
Earleir this week, Harshita's parents, Sudesh Kumari and Satbir Brella, said they want justice for their daughter. Mr Brella said: "I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice and I want my daughter's body brought home.”
Anyone with information should call 101, quoting Operation Westcott.