Tragic Death of Indian Woman Harshita Brella in UK Sparks Dowry Harassment Allegations
The tragic death of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, an Indian woman from Delhi living in the UK, has cast a harsh spotlight on dowry-related harassment. Harshita was found dead on November 14, with her body concealed in the boot of a car parked in east London’s Ilford area. The car, allegedly belonging to her husband, Pankaj Lamba, was located 145 kilometers away from Corby, where the couple lived. Lamba is currently missing and suspected of involvement in her murder.
Detectives investigating the death of a woman from Corby have named the victim as 24-year-old Harshita Brella. A murder inquiry is underway and officers are appealing for anyone with information to contact police. Read more here: https://t.co/IDnA6U2PP7 pic.twitter.com/cR8QPdLs89
— Northants Police (@NorthantsPolice) November 16, 2024
VIDEO | Family of Delhi-based Harshita Brella, the 24-year-old found dead in a car boot in east London recently, have called for justice as the UK police continue to hunt for her husband as a suspect in her murder and renewed their appeal for information on Tuesday.
“The… pic.twitter.com/3n2o9XPLf4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 22, 2024
Family Alleges Dowry-Driven Abuse
Harshita’s family has claimed she endured constant harassment for dowry after her marriage to Lamba on March 22, 2023. Her sister, Sonia Brella, revealed, “The family had given a lot of dowry to Pankaj, but he was still not happy and kept demanding more.”
Her father, Sabir Brella, alleged that Lamba frequently assaulted Harshita and controlled her bank accounts, despite her living separately and working in a warehouse to support herself. According to Sonia, the family had to sell property to meet Lamba’s dowry demands earlier this year.
Timeline of Events
Police investigations suggest Harshita was murdered on November 10, the same day she was last seen walking with her husband near a boating lake in Corby. That evening, Harshita Brella spoke to her family via a video call, mentioning that she was preparing dinner for Lamba. The following day, her phone became unreachable.
Four days later, Harshita’s body was discovered in Lamba’s car, sparking a murder investigation. Authorities confirmed the cause of death as “manual strangulation pending toxicology and histology.”
Legal and Family Appeals
Harshita Brella had filed a domestic violence complaint against Lamba on August 29, leading to a 28-day restraining order. However, the order had not been renewed at the time of her death. The family has also provided evidence to UK authorities suggesting Lamba fled to India after the murder. Sonia alleged, “Pankaj’s family knows his whereabouts but is not cooperating.”
Ongoing Investigation
Northamptonshire Police released CCTV images of Lamba as part of their search efforts. Meanwhile, Harshita’s body is expected to be repatriated to India within the next two weeks. An inquest into her death has been adjourned until May 2025, while investigations continue.
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