[Case Involving Alleged Police Mismanagement in Domestic Abuse Report Before Fatality]

Four police officers have been issued disciplinary notices for suspected shortcomings in their management of a domestic abuse report from a woman prior to her death, which was discovered in the trunk of her car.

The victim, Harshita Brella, 24, was found deceased in a silver Vauxhall Corsa on Brisbane Road, Ilford, East London, on November 14th of the previous year. Her spouse, Pankaj Lamba, 23, is under suspicion for murder and is additionally accused of two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behavior.

Investigations by Northamptonshire police suggest that Brella was likely strangled in Corby on November 10th and her body subsequently taken to Ilford the following day. Lamba has reportedly fled the UK following Brella’s demise.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) issued the disciplinary notices to four Northamptonshire police officers involved in the case, with two accused of gross misconduct and two of potential misconduct. The police were allegedly ineffective in following up on Brella’s August domestic abuse report and failed to adequately communicate with her after the incident.

Brella, originally from Delhi, had arrived in the UK in April following her marriage to Lamba in August 2023. The IOPC is actively investigating the police’s contact with Brella and Lamba before her tragic death.

Derrick Campbell, the director of IOPC, commented that their investigation into the police’s interaction with Brella is ongoing, including the assessment of the contact they had and the actions and decision-making of the involved officers. Two detective constables are being investigated for possible gross misconduct concerning their handling of the domestic abuse inquiry and communication with Brella. The misconduct notices issued to more senior officers pertain to their oversight of the case and related risk assessments.

Campbell emphasized that the disciplinary notices inform officers that an investigation is underway but do not guarantee the initiation of disciplinary proceedings. He stated that after the investigation concludes, decisions will be made on whether any officer has a case to answer.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/21/police-watchdog-serves-notices-on-four-officers-over-harshita-brella-case