Harshita Brella murder: Pankaj Lamba’s parents arrested

The parents of a man suspected of killing his wife and abandoning her body in the boot of a car in London have been arrested, the BBC understands.

It is believed Pankaj Lamba, 23, murdered Harshita Brella, 24, who lived in Corby, Northamptonshire, before fleeing the country in November.

Police in India said they had arrested Mr Lamba’s parents, who live in the country, on charges of causing Ms Brella’s death by subjecting her to cruelty, following a complaint from her family.

Mr Lamba, whose whereabouts remain unknown, had been known to Northamptonshire Police prior to Ms Brella’s death and was the subject of a domestic violence protection order.

Indian police said they arrested Mr Lamba’s parents under what is locally called the “dowry death” law.

They are accused of causing Ms Brella’s death by subjecting her to cruelty and harassment in connection with a demand for dowry.

Her father Satbir Singh told the BBC that after months of waiting, he felt some progress was being made in the case.

A separate investigation is being carried out in the UK by Northamptonshire Police.

The force named Mr Lamba as the prime suspect following the discovery of his wife’s body in Ilford, London, in November and believed he had fled the UK.

It said it had submitted its findings to the Crown Prosecution Service and was waiting for a decision on charges.

Ms Brella’s family said she and Mr Lamba, 23, had entered into an arranged marriage, with a legal wedding held in August 2023.

The couple had their traditional Indian ceremony on 22 March this year, before they left for the UK around 30 April, settling in Corby.