MP requests updates for Harshita Brella's family

An MP has called for regular government updates for the family of a woman believed to have been murdered by her husband.

The body of Harshita Brella, 24, was found in a car in east London in November 2024 - 100 miles (160km) from her home in Corby, Northamptonshire.

A hunt to locate her husband Pankaj Lamba, who is believed to have left the UK for India, is ongoing after a murder charge was authorised against him.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Lee Barron, the Labour MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, asked whether the Home Office and Foreign Office would work to "ensure [Harshita's] family receive monthly updates" on the investigation.

Responding, the Leader of the House of Commons, Alan Campbell, said he "understood the concerns raised" and confirmed that the Home Office would be writing to the MP shortly.

In August 2024, Brella contacted Northamptonshire Police and said Lamba had abused her.

He was arrested and released on bail, with a condition not to contact her.

The following month, she was given a domestic violence protection order lasting 28 days, but on 14 November her body was found with signs she had been strangled four days earlier.

A murder charge was authorised against Lamba, who is accused of two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.

In May this year, the family travelled to the UK from India and had a meeting with Northamptonshire Police at the same time a misconduct meeting was being held relating to two officers who were in contact with Brella prior to her death.

The results of that are yet to be shared, while a disciplinary investigation against two other officers remains under way.

Barron said: "[Harshita's] family feels isolated... When they hear nothing, they feel like nothing is happening."

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