The body of a 24-year-old Indian woman, Harshita Brella, was discovered in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa parked on Brisbane Road, Ilford, East London, on November 11, 2024. According to the police, Harshita had likely been murdered by her husband, Pankaj, 23, who allegedly fled the country shortly after committing the crime. As per BBC, during an inquest in Northampton, senior coroner Anne Pember stated that the provisional cause of death was identified as ‘manual strangulation,’ with toxicology and histology reports pending.
Harshita Brella Allegedly Killed By Husband In London
Harshita Brella, originally from Delhi, was allegedly murdered by her husband, Pankaj, in Corby town on the evening of Sunday, November 10, according to Northamptonshire Police. A post-mortem examination revealed she had been strangled.
Detectives suspect that after the murder, Pankaj placed Harshita's body in the boot of his car and drove nearly 150 km to Brisbane Road in Ilford, East London, where he abandoned the vehicle. Harshita's body was discovered in the early hours of Thursday, November 14, 2024. Police believe Pankaj has fled the country.
In a statement, police said, as per BBC, "We suspect Lamba transported Harshita's body from Northamptonshire to Ilford by car. We believe he has now fled the country. More than 60 detectives are working on the case, pursuing various lines of enquiry, including property searches, house-to-house investigations, CCTV footage, and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)."
Don't Miss:Delhi Air Pollution: How Schools Remaining Closed Affect Children, As Per Pediatrician
Harshita Brella was last in contact with her family on the evening of November 10, 2024 when she mentioned preparing dinner and waiting for her husband's return. Concern arose when her phone stayed switched off for two days, leading her family to report her missing to Northamptonshire Police on November 13.
When officers visited her home on Skegness Walk, they found no trace of her, prompting an urgent investigation. Hours later, in the early morning of November 14, her body was discovered in a car in Ilford. By then, her husband, Pankaj, had vanished, triggering an international manhunt to locate him.
Harshita Brella Was A Victim Of Domestic Violence
Harshita Brella married Pankaj in August 2023 and relocated to the UK in April 2024, where she worked at a warehouse while Pankaj pursued his studies. According to her family, Harshita endured domestic abuse throughout her brief marriage, as per Hindustan Times reports.
In late August, Harshita called her father, Satbir Brella, revealing she had fled her home due to her husband's violent behaviour. Her family reported that Pankaj often complained about her not preparing meals on time and speaking with her mother "too much."
Northamptonshire Police confirmed that Harshita had previously been a victim of domestic violence. In early September, she was granted protection under a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) issued by Northampton Magistrates’ Court.
Don't Miss:Tejas Express: Key Features, Routes, Timings, Fares, Booking Rules, and More
The tragic case has highlighted the struggles young immigrants face while navigating personal and cultural pressures abroad. It has sparked important conversations about domestic abuse and the need for better support systems for vulnerable individuals within the diaspora.
Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.
Credits: Freepik
Take charge of your wellness journey—download the HerZindagi app for daily updates on fitness, beauty, and a healthy lifestyle!
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation