Exclusive: Harshita Brella sent WhatsApps in distress before she was murdered
The 24-year-old was found dead in the boot of a car in east London on 14 November, with her husband Pankaj Lamba named as the prime suspect in her killing.
3mWritten by Jamie Roberton and Nandini Gumaste.
Harshita Brella sent a series of WhatsApp messages in distress in the months before police suspect she was murdered by her husband, Channel 4 News can reveal.
Ms Brella, 24, was found dead in the boot of a car in east London on 14 November, with her husband Pankaj Lamba named as the prime suspect in her killing.
Mr Lamba has seemingly fled the UK and is subject to an international manhunt.
Channel 4 News has been shown messages between the suspect and Ms Brella from July in which he threatens: “If you really have the courage, then try and talk back to me and see what happens.”
Ms Brella also disclosed in messages to her family that she was the victim of financial abuse and that her bank account had been drained “by him”, adding: “He hasn’t even left £1.”
She told her sister, Sonia Dabas: “Why have I come here? Look what’s happening to me. From now on, I have to live in hiding.”
Another message read: “He [Pankaj Lamba] told me, I can’t talk to you in front of him. I will call you when I am alone. Tell Mummy too. Just don’t call me.”
Ms Brella’s body will be repatriated back to India this weekend, Channel 4 News understands.
Family contact
Ms Brella’s family last spoke to Ms Brella by phone on 10 November before her phone was suddenly switched off.
They alerted the police over concerns for her welfare on 13 November, believing “something was wrong.”
Ms Brella’s body was discovered In Ilford, east London the next day.
Police have released CCTV images of the car they believe Mr Lamba used to transport his wife’s body on the 100-mile journey from Corby to Ilford.
Mr Lamba had previously been arrested and bailed on suspicion of abusing Ms Brella.
Northamptonshire Police
The 24-year-old was the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order which came into force in early September, expiring on 1 October.
Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of previous contact with Ms Brella.
A police inspectorate report into Northamptonshire Police, published in February, found its systems to protect vulnerable people were not “as effective as it could be for domestic abuse.”
The inspection also found that vulnerable victims were “not receiving timely safeguarding support”, with particular concern raised about its use of Domestic Violence Protection Orders.
A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police said the report had identified recommendations which have been addressed and enacted upon, with additional resources invested in the specialist domestic abuse investigation team.
Channel 4 News also understands that Ms Brella was on a “dependent restricted visa” with no recourse to public funds.
Domestic abuse charities say migrant women are more vulnerable when they are subject to this condition.
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“Our thoughts go out to the family of Harshita Brella, but as this is a live police investigation, we are unable to comment.”
Northamptonshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Emma James told Channel 4 News:
“We remain absolutely committed to securing justice for Harshita and a team of detectives across the region continue to work around the clock on the case.”
“In the past week, we have worked together with Harshita’s family to arrange for her body to be repatriated to her family home this weekend, along with a number of personal items of sentimental value so that the family can begin their funeral arrangements.”