Detectives investigating the murder of Harshita Brella have released CCTV of the 24-year-old with her husband on the evening police suspect he killed her.
Northamptonshire Police launched a murder investigation into Harshita’s death after her body was found inside the boot of a vehicle in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of Thursday, November 14.
Detectives working on the case suspect that Harshita was murdered in Corby on the evening of Sunday, November 10. Police have named the prime suspect in her murder as her husband, 23-year-old Pankaj Lamba of Sturton Walk, Corby.
They suspect he dumped her body in the car boot before fleeing the country
Police on Thursday released a CCTV image of Ms Brella with her husband walking by Corby Boating Lake at around 6.30pm that evening.
The investigation team has been piecing together hours of CCTV footage in the Corby and Ilford areas to track the movements of Harshita and her husband.
Earlier this week, officers released images of Pankaj Lamba in the Ilford area and appealed for information from anyone who may have interacted with him.
They are now keen to hear from people who were in the Cottingham Road area of Corby on the evening of November 10, and who may have dashcam footage or other information that could assist the investigation.
Harshita Brella’s body had been transported from Corby to east London by car, which was left parked in Brisbane Road.
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 that 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.”
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.
