An investigation has been launched by The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into Northamptonshire Police following reports of domestic abuse made by Harshita Brella in August. The IOPC has confirmed that Ms Brella’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, had been arrested by police in September with bail conditions and a domestic violence protection notice. An international manhunt for Mr Lamba ensued when Ms Brella’s body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, on 14 November. The police believe that Ms Brella had been strangled to death four days earlier in Corby, Northamptonshire, and have since named Mr Lamba, 23, as the primary suspect in their investigation.
IOPC Regional Director, Derrick Campbell, said that “We will be examining the police response to Ms Brella’s report…We will look into further contact Northamptonshire Police had with Ms Brella concerning the case.” The watchdog will investigate the actions and decisions made by Northamptonshire Police in regard to its dealings with the victim. Furthermore, the IOPC will contact Ms Brella’s family to express their condolences and explain their role in the investigation.
The police have already called upon the public to help with investigations by sharing a CCTV image of Ms Brella and Mr Lamba walking by Corby’s boating lake on 10 November. Police have also urged anyone who was in the area during the time of the alleged murder to contact them. Domestic abuse cases often prompt calls for greater transparency and cooperation from law enforcement agencies to ensure that reports are taken seriously and that people are protected to the fullest extent possible.
The case of Harshita Brella is a particularly tragic example of the various factors that contribute to the prevalence of domestic abuse incidents. Domestic violence affects people across the world, irrespective of where they live or what country they belong to. In order to stop further harm, abuse survivors need support and access to comprehensive resources that enable them to make informed, safe decisions about their futures. Ultimately, there is a critical need for laws and policies to be improved to better protect victims of domestic violence
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