Police have released new CCTV footage showing murder suspect Pankaj Lamba in east London, following the discovery of his wife’s body in a car boot.
The images, released on Tuesday, show Lamba after detectives believe he killed 24-year-old Harshita Brella in Corby and transported her body to Ilford.
An international manhunt is now underway for Lamba, who is the prime suspect in the killing of his wife of eight months.
A post-mortem examination conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary has determined the preliminary cause of death as strangulation.
Police have released new CCTV footage showing murder suspect Pankaj Lamba in east London, following the discovery of his wife’s body in a car boot
Northamptonshire Police
An international manhunt is now underway for Lamba, who is the prime suspect in the killing of his wife of eight months.
Northamptonshire Police
Detectives believe Brella was murdered in Corby on the evening of November 10, before her body was transported to Ilford the following day.
The vehicle, a Silver Vauxhall Corsa, was later abandoned on Brisbane Road in Ilford after the journey from Corby.
An inquest into Brella’s death is scheduled to open in Northampton on Wednesday.
Brella’s family in India became concerned when her phone remained switched off for two days, leading them to request others file a complaint by November 13.
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The images, released on Tuesday, show Lamba after detectives believe he killed 24-year-old Harshita Brella in Corby and transported her body to Ilford
Northamptonshire Police
Her sister, Sonia Dabas said that the family “thought something was wrong” during this period.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell said: “We are working closely with policing colleagues and our partners in the CPS, and in order to secure justice for Harshita, there are certain aspects of this investigation we are unable to comment on.”
He added: “Our inquiries have established that Pankaj Lamba drove a Silver Vauxhall Corsa from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of Monday November 11.”
“We suspect Harshita’s body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby. Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford and made his getaway.”
The vehicle, a Silver Vauxhall Corsa, was later abandoned on Brisbane Road in Ilford after the journey from Corby
Northamptonshire Police
Police urge anyone with information to come forward.
A neighbour reported hearing two serious arguments in the days before Brella’s body was found, with one incident where a woman “sounded scared”.
Police confirmed Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence, leading to a Domestic Violence Protection Order being issued at Northampton Magistrates’ Court in September.
Due to previous contact with Brella, Northamptonshire Police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting Operation Westcott, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.