London, UK: An Indian national wanted in the UK for the killing of his wife was reportedly operating a small shop in Delhi before disappearing again, according to investigators.
British authorities have been searching for Pankaj Lamba, who is accused of murdering his 24-year-old wife, Harshita Brella, in November 2024. Police say Lamba left the UK soon after the incident and has remained untraceable since.
Brella’s body was discovered on November 14, 2024, inside the boot of a car in Ilford, East London. Detectives believe the murder occurred four days earlier at the couple’s residence in Corby, Northamptonshire. The pair, both originally from Delhi, had relocated to the UK earlier that year.
In March 2025, the Crown Prosecution Service approved charges against Lamba, including murder, rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour. Because he had already fled, the case proceeded without him. In July 2025, officers from Northamptonshire travelled to India to meet Brella’s family and return her personal items.
During the investigation, Lamba was reportedly seen running a small snacks-and-vegetable shop close to his family home in Delhi, often covering his face and accompanied by a woman and a child. According to his former teacher, Sunil Saini, the last sighting was in April 2025 when the shop abruptly closed. Saini recalled that Lamba had contacted him in early April about leftover restaurant equipment he wanted Saini to store or sell. The shop has since been converted into an egg outlet, and locals believe Lamba moved away once inquiries intensified.
Brella’s relatives allege that she endured months of financial and domestic abuse. They claim she had sought help from authorities and felt pressured by monetary demands linked to dowry issues. They also say they felt unsupported by officials in both the UK and India.
Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, questioned why the suspect has still not been detained, while her sister, Sonia Dabas, said the family believes their concerns may not have been taken seriously because they were not UK citizens.
Just weeks before her death, Brella had reported domestic abuse to Northamptonshire Police. Lamba was arrested at that time but released on bail, which expired a month before she was killed. Her sister believes that this lapse gave him confidence that there would be no consequences.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has opened an investigation into how the force handled Brella’s earlier complaint. Four officers have been issued disciplinary notices—two for potential gross misconduct and two for possible misconduct. The IOPC has completed its report and shared it with the police, who must respond by mid-November.
Northamptonshire Police said the murder investigation is ongoing and that they remain committed to securing justice for Brella and her family.
