A wished man suspected of killing his spouse earlier than her physique was present in a automobile boot has been charged along with her homicide.
Pankaj Lamba, who’s the topic of a world manhunt following Harshita Brella’s loss of life final yr, has additionally been charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.
Ms Brella, 24, was discovered within the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Brisbane Highway, Ilford, east London, on 14 November.
Picture:
Pic: Northamptonshire police
A autopsy examination discovered she died from strangulation.
Police had beforehand named Lamba, who lived with Ms Brella in Corby, Northamptonshire, as the primary suspect within the case.
They imagine the 23-year-old fled the UK after his spouse’s loss of life.
Samantha Shallow, from the Crown Prosecution Service, mentioned on Wednesday that expenses have been introduced after it reviewed a “file of evidence” submitted by Northamptonshire Police.
Lamba has been charged in his absence, and the fees have been laid at Northampton Magistrates’ Court docket.
The event comes after police in India arrested Lamba’s mother and father, mom Sunil Devi and father Darshan Singh, on 14 March.
Picture:
Pankaj Lamba. Pic: Northamptonshire Police
Police in Delhi, whose investigation is separate to the one being carried out within the UK, have registered the case underneath the offence of dowry loss of life.
This refers to when a lady is murdered or pushed to suicide over a dispute about dowry – property or cash given by a bride to her husband once they get married.
Underneath the Indian penal code, dowry deaths contain the fatality of a lady “caused by burns or bodily injury… within seven years of her marriage, if she was subjected to cruelty or harassment for, or in connection with, a dowry demand”.
Surendra Chaudhary, deputy commissioner of police in Delhi, mentioned the pressure is now attempting to hint Lamba’s sister.
He mentioned: “Lamba’s sister Uma is currently absconding and raids are on to nab her as well.”
“The police have so far been sleeping and non-active on this case. Now that Delhi High Court has asked for a status report next week from the Delhi police, the federal home and foreign ministry they have got their act together. It’s the pressure from the courts.”
Picture:
Harshita Brella. Pic: Northamptonshire Police
Ms Brella’s household imagine Lamba was on a flight to Delhi that arrived on 12 November and Ms Dabas advised “he may be somewhere in Haryana or near Chandigarh”, states in northern India.
The village of Dharoli in Haryana is the place Lamba’s household is from and his father, mom and sister nonetheless reside there.
Lamba lived within the village till he completed major college, earlier than occurring to pursue increased training whereas dwelling along with his uncle and aunt in Gurugram, south of Delhi.
Lamba and Ms Brella entered into an organized marriage, with a authorized marriage ceremony held in August 2023, earlier than the couple moved to the UK in April 2024.
“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. We would urge all parties to respect the judicial process to ensure the integrity of the proceedings.”
