Exclusive: New evidence in Harshita Brella murder case

Channel 4 News reports exclusively from South Delhi, unveiling new details in the case of Harshita Brella, alleged to have been murdered by her husband Pankaj Lamba in Corby four months ago.

The team shed new light on Pankaj Lamba’s movements in the days following Harshita’s death, after Northamptonshire Police named him as the main suspect in the case.

Tonight, lawyers representing Harshita’s family confirm to Channel 4 News that upon his arrival in India, they have been told that Mr Lamba made a phone call to a friend, revealing the exact location of a car in London – believed by the Brella family’s legal team to be the vehicle where Harshita’s body was found.

The Delhi Police also confirms to Channel 4 News that Pankaj Lamba arrived in India on 12 November. This follows the release of CCTV images reportedly showing Pankaj in London the day after Harshita’s death.

At her chambers, Riddhima Aggarwal, the family’s lawyer, says they’ve “been informed that Pankaj, after fleeing from the UK, came to India, and that is when he made a phone call to his friend, telling him the exact location where his car was parked”.

Aggarwal adds that Pankaj “informed his friend and that is when I think his friend called the police”.

Northamptonshire Police believe Harshita was murdered on 10 November, with her body found by police in the early hours of 14 November in a vehicle on Brisbane Road in Ilford, 100 miles from her home in Corby.

Today Northamptonshire Police confirm to Channel 4 News that they have sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether there is enough evidence for making charges.

In India, Harshita’s family have expressed their frustration with the delays in the investigation, speaking out exclusively alongside the pro bono lawyers working on Harshita’s case.

It comes as both the Delhi Police and Supreme Court lawyers raised concerns over the limited information available in the case.

In January, the family’s legal team filed a petition with the High Court, expressing concerns about a lack of coordination with UK authorities. This led to the appointment of an officer in India to oversee the exchange of information between the two countries.

Reflecting on why they took on Harshita’s case pro bono, Aggarwal says: “Our hearts went out to her. How do you connect the dots? You send your daughter off with her future husband, full of hopes and dreams, and six months later, you receive a body bag.”

“You send your daughter off with her future husband, full of hopes and dreams, and six months later, you receive a body bag.”

• – Riddhima Aggarwal

Sitting with Harshita’s family, reporter Ria Chatterjee listens as Sonia Dabas recalls the last time she saw her sister, remembering a video taken at Delhi’s airport just before Harshita flew to the UK.

The family reveal they have no information about Pankaj’s current whereabouts and live in fear, having installed bars on their balcony for protection against potential retaliation.

Sonia Brella also expresses her frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation, commenting: “It’s been three months, and there’s been no update, no new information. They haven’t shared anything with our embassy, our Delhi Police – no documentation, no emails, nothing.”

Harshita’s mother adds: “We have faith, but so far, they haven’t been able to do anything. By now, Pankaj should have been caught, and I want my daughter to get justice as soon as possible.”

Harshita’s father shares his family’s ongoing fear: “Things are difficult. We can’t even leave the house because we’re scared. Since Pankaj is in India, we fear that someone may try to harm us too.”

The family take the Channel 4 News team to the local police precinct, where officers reveal they’ve sent seven emails to Northamptonshire Police requesting information, but have received no response. They have now compiled a list of questions to be sent through India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

In India, the team travels to Haryana, a few hours from Delhi, to visit Pankaj Lamba’s family. His mother and sister request to remain anonymous.

They say the last time they talked to Pankaj was when he was in London, and have had no contact with the police in the UK.

Asked if they believe he could be capable of committing a crime of this nature they say, “No, never ever.”

Next week there will be a second hearing in Harshita’s case, with the High Court judge expecting updates from the Delhi police and the Indian government.

In a statement to Channel 4 News, senior investigating officer for Northamptonshire Police, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, said:

“The investigation into the murder of Harshita Brella is ongoing and we continue to liaise closely with all relevant partners and appropriate authorities as we work to secure justice for Harshita and her family, which remains our primary focus.

“A full and lengthy investigation has now been completed and a file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for their consideration regarding a charging decision.

“Family liaison officers have been in regular contact with Harshita’s family to brief them on progress. We understand their concerns over the pace of the investigation, however, it is vital that due process is followed throughout to enable justice to be delivered, and we continue to offer our support to her family at this difficult time.

“Given the gravity of the offences under investigation, we would urge all parties to respect the judicial process to ensure the integrity of the proceedings.”

Watch more:

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Exclusive: Harshita Brella sent WhatsApps in distress before she was murdered
Police release new CCTV of Harshita Brella murder suspect