Memorial held to remember Harshita Brella

People gathered at the weekend to remember a woman who is believed to have been murdered by her partner.

Harshita Brella, 24, married Pankaj Lamba in India before moving to Corby, Northamptonshire, in 2024.

Lamba was named as the prime suspect after her body was found in the boot of a car in east London in November 2024, but he is believed to have left the UK for India.

On Saturday, Brella's family and the wider community met at Hazelwood Community Centre to remember her, and her sister Sonia Dabas said it was an important day for them.

"People are coming here – they're interested to know about Harshita," she explained.

"They love her, they support her, they are with me in this fight. It's so lovely."

Along with Dabas, Brella's parents were in the UK for the first time to be at the memorial and to campaign for justice.

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.

"She lived in Corby and was taking breath in this air," Dabas said after Saturday's memorial.

"I am [now] taking breath in this same air. I just feel some connectivity here with her.

"I talk with people and some are here who saw Harshita. Sometimes they talked to [her].

"They share the same experience with me here. I just feel my sister here."

On Thursday, the family 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.

The family are due to have another meeting with the force.

"I will continue this fight. I am here to get justice for my sister," Dabas said.

Det Supt Johnny Campbell has previously said he had reassured the family of the force's "absolute commitment to secure justice for Harshita".

After the memorial event, Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said Brella's death had been a "huge tragedy" for her family and the community.

"It shouldn't have happened, and I feel really so sorry that it has happened and it has happened in my county," she said.

"It worries me that women are so vulnerable and we know there's a global epidemic of violence against women and girls.

"We know there's an epidemic of violence against women and girls in this country. It's so worrying."

Anjona Roy, chief executive of Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council, was also in attendance.

She said the organisation was "really passionate" about supporting Brella's family, and it had helped set up the memorial.

"It's just so important for us that we're looking after the family," she said.

"There were a few things, little things, that we could help with and we are so privileged that they've given us the opportunity to support them in this way."

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