Man Allegedly Kills Wife and Hides Body in Car, Prompting Police Hunt
Pankaj Lamba is the primary suspect in the murder case of 24-year-old Harshita Brella from Corby, whose body was discovered in a car trunk.
Authorities are currently engaged in an international manhunt for the husband of the victim, who is believed to be responsible for the murder.
Northamptonshire Police has formally identified Pankaj Lamba, aged 23, as the main suspect in the killing of Harshita Brella.
The investigation began after her body was found in the trunk of a vehicle on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London, early Thursday morning.
During a press conference in Kettering over the weekend, Chief Inspector Paul Cash stated, “We suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire by her husband Pankaj Lamba earlier this month. It is believed that Lamba transported her body from Northamptonshire to Ilford by car and subsequently fled the country.”
Authorities have not disclosed the country to which Lamba may have absconded.
The police were alerted on Wednesday by a concerned citizen regarding Harshita’s well-being, prompting an investigation that led to the discovery of her body in a car after she could not be located at her residence in Corby.
Following a post-mortem examination, it was established that she was the victim of a homicide.
Previous information revealed that the victim had experienced domestic violence prior to her demise and had received a Domestic Violence Protection Order in early September at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.
This order aimed to prevent the perpetrator from harassing, threatening, or contacting her in any manner.
Northamptonshire Police have made a formal referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to their prior interactions with the victim.
Chief Inspector Cash mentioned that the police are diligently investigating this case with over 60 officers involved in the process.
He stated, “We are exploring various avenues and conducting extensive inquiries to gather information about the circumstances of Harshita’s death, including the precise time and location of the incident.”
Investigators are conducting thorough searches, analyzing CCTV footage, and utilizing Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to gather leads in the case.
Cash expressed his condolences to Harshita’s family and friends, emphasizing the tragic loss of a young life with a promising future.
Individuals with relevant information are urged to contact the police quoting Operation Westcott or provide anonymous tips through Crimestoppers.
