The husband of a woman found strangled in a car trunk in England had been arrested just two months earlier following a domestic abuse report, as an investigation is launched into the police's handling of the case and a manhunt for the suspect intensifies.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has opened an investigation into how Northamptonshire Police handled the domestic abuse case involving Harshita Brella, according to GB News.
The IOPC revealed that her husband, Pankaj Lamba, who is now the prime suspect in her murder, was arrested and bailed on domestic abuse charges just weeks before her death.
Brella's body was discovered on November 14 in the trunk of a silver Vauxhall Corsa on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London. Police believe she was killed in Corby on November 10 and her body was transported to London the following day.
Authorities are still searching for Lamba, 23, who remains a fugitive.
Brella had reported domestic abuse to police in August, prompting an arrest of Lamba on September 3. After his arrest, he was released on bail with conditions, and a domestic violence protection order was issued.
The IOPC is now examining how Northamptonshire Police responded to Brella's report and is investigating any additional interactions between Brella and the police regarding the case.
"We will be examining the police response to Ms Brella's report of domestic abuse made at the end of August this year," Derrick Campbell, regional director of the IOPC, stated regarding the investigation's focus.
"Our investigation will consider the actions and decisions taken by Northamptonshire Police in relation to the report made by Ms Brella and their subsequent investigation," he added.
Campbell expressed condolences, saying: "Our thoughts are with Ms Brella's family and all those affected by her death. We will be contacting Ms Brella's family to explain our role and express our sincere condolences."
