Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Harshita Brella’s death: Murder charge authorised against Pankaj Lamba

Lamba, 23, who is believed to have fled the country, has also been charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour.

Murder Charge Filed Against Pankaj Lamba in Harshita Brella Case
Brella, 24, was found dead in the boot of a car in Ilford, London, in November last year.

A MURDER charge has been authorised against Pankaj Lamba, whose wife, Harshita Brella, was found dead in the boot of a car in London, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Lamba, 23, who is believed to have fled the country, has also been charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour. The charges were filed at Northampton Magistrates' Court, BBC reported.


Samantha Shallow from the CPS said the charges followed a review of evidence submitted by Northamptonshire Police.

She urged against any reporting, commentary, or sharing of information that could impact the case, stating, "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings are active and defendants have the right to a fair trial."

Northamptonshire Police’s senior investigating officer, Det Ch Insp Johnny Campbell, said efforts were ongoing to secure justice for Brella and her family. He added, "This remains an active investigation and as such, there continue to be aspects of the case that we are unable to comment on at this time."

In India, Lamba’s parents, Darshan Singh and Sunil Devi, have been arrested under the country's "dowry death" law, the BBC reported.

The law applies when a woman dies due to burns or bodily injury within seven years of marriage and there is evidence of dowry-related cruelty or harassment.

Conviction carries a minimum sentence of seven years, with the possibility of life imprisonment.

Brella, 24, was found dead in Ilford, London, in November last year. Police believe Lamba killed her before leaving the UK. He had previously been subject to a domestic violence protection order.

More For You

uk-supreme-court

Susan Smith (L) and Marion Calder, directors of 'For Women Scotland' cheer as they leave the Supreme Court on April 16, 2025 in London.

Getty Images

UK Supreme Court rules legal definition of woman means biological sex

THE UNITED KINGDOM's Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the term "woman" in equality legislation refers to biological sex. However, the court said the ruling would not disadvantage transgender people.

The case centred on whether a transgender woman with a gender recognition certificate is considered a woman under the Equality Act and protected from discrimination on that basis.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK Inflation

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) stood at 2.6 per cent in March, down from 2.8 per cent in February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Getty

UK inflation eases to 2.6 per cent ahead of US tariff impact

THE UK’s annual inflation rate dropped more than expected in March, according to official figures released on Wednesday. The latest numbers come as US president Donald Trump’s new tariffs add to global economic uncertainty.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) stood at 2.6 per cent in March, down from 2.8 per cent in February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Analysts had expected a decline to 2.7 per cent. The rate was 3.0 per cent in January.

Keep ReadingShow less
Immigration-Getty

Commuters cross London Bridge on October 15, 2024 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Comment: It’s time for a clear plan on immigration

The immigration white paper has been delayed to after the May local elections. The delay is sensible, as US president Donald Trump’s tariff games make economic conditions less predictable than ever, but necessary too. UK government ministers know how they want to talk about immigration – that control matters – but are torn about what policies that leads to.

There are real dilemmas of control. Downing Street and the Home Office want overall numbers to come down, but chafe at the Treasury constraint of making the fiscal numbers still add up. Health secretary Wes Streeting wants to invest more in NHS training, but not to turn away doctors and nurses who could reduce waiting lists in the meantime. With university finances more fragile than ever, education secretary Bridget Phillipson does not want to push half a dozen local universities over the brink to deliver a statistic on immigration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Craig-Williams-Getty

Craig Williams had previously apologised for placing a £100 bet on a July election date but did not confirm whether he had prior knowledge of the timing. (Photo: Getty Images)

Former Sunak aide, Tory officials charged over 2024 election betting

FIFTEEN individuals, including a former aide to ex-prime minister Rishi Sunak, have been charged in connection with alleged betting offences related to the timing of the 2024 general election, the Gambling Commission said on Monday.

Craig Williams, who served as Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary and was a candidate in the 2024 election, is among those charged.

Keep ReadingShow less
tulip-siddiq-getty

Siddiq stepped down as the economic secretary to the treasury in January this year. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tulip Siddiq denies Bangladesh corruption charges after arrest warrant

LABOUR MP Tulip Siddiq has denied corruption allegations after reports emerged that Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had issued an arrest warrant against her. Siddiq is the niece of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s former prime minister who was deposed in August.

Siddiq stepped down as the economic secretary to the treasury in January this year. At the time, she said her family connections were becoming a “distraction” to prime minister Keir Starmer’s government.

Keep ReadingShow less