Harshita Brella's husband arrested for 'domestic abuse weeks before her murder'

The police watchdog said on Tuesday that fugitive Pankaj Lamba was bailed by police before being suspected of murdering Harshita Brella and dumping her in a car boot

A fugitive suspected of murdering his wife and dumping her in the boot of a car had been arrested weeks earlier after she accused him of domestic abuse.

Pankaj Lamba is at the centre of an international manhunt after 24-year-old Harshita Brella’s body was found in Ilford in east London on November 14. Harshita is believed to have been killed in Corby, Northamptonshire, on Nov 10, with Lamba, 23, named by police as a prime suspect in her murder. He is suspected of driving her body around 100 miles to London where she remained undiscovered in the car for nearly three days.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct have said they are investigating Northamptonshire Police after Harshita made a report of domestic abuse in August. Lamba was arrested on Sept 3 and released with bail conditions and a domestic violence protection notice, it added.

IOPC regional director, Derrick Campbell said: "We understand Mr Lamba was arrested by Northamptonshire Police on September 3 and was released with bail conditions and a domestic violence protection notice imposed on him. We will look into further contact Northamptonshire Police had with Ms Brella concerning the case.

"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. 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."

A post-mortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary gave the preliminary cause of death as strangulation, police said.

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk