The family of Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old woman whose body was discovered in the trunk of a car in Corby, United Kingdom, in November 2024, has made an emotional journey from New Delhi to the UK to seek justice. What was intended as a joyful visit to see Harshita after her marriage turned into a somber mission for answers.
A Painful Pilgrimage
Sonia, Harshita's elder sister, shared with the Times of India that the family's sole purpose in visiting the UK is to ensure the case remains in the spotlight. The accused, Pankaj Lamba, Harshita's husband, is still at large. 'It is extremely painful for me and my parents that the man accused of murdering my sister is still absconding,' Sonia said.
The family walked through the lane where Harshita was last seen and placed flowers near the spot where Lamba was allegedly captured on CCTV pacing around the vehicle containing her body. Sonia recalled the cruel irony of their first trip abroad: 'We dreamed of coming here to meet her, to see where she lived and worked. But the circumstances are heartbreaking.'
Allegations of Police Inaction
The family alleges that both the UK Police and Delhi Police have been shifting responsibility. 'Whenever we seek responses from Delhi Police, they say they are waiting for answers from the UK Police. In the UK, there has been very little communication. That's why we came here ourselves,' Sonia alleged. A senior Delhi Police officer confirmed that efforts are underway to trace the accused but provided no update on his whereabouts.
Harshita had previously reported domestic violence incidents to UK authorities. The family believes timely intervention could have saved her life. They are also seeking clarity on findings from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which reportedly found lapses in handling complaints by four police officers linked to the case.
Community Support and Memorial
In Corby, the family received support from local community members who organized a memorial gathering. A private ceremony will unveil a memorial bench at a park in the town, serving as a permanent marker in a place that now holds deep personal meaning. The family also plans to meet Harshita's former colleagues at the warehouse where she worked.
This trip, the family's first outside India, was financially supported by a Corby-based charity through fundraising efforts. Hoping that Harshita's story does not fade into silence, the family has demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and intensified efforts to trace Lamba, who remains absconding nearly two years after the murder.
