The last image Harshita Brella’s sister, Sonia Dabbas, has of her is one of a vibrant, successful woman completely unaware of the deception at the heart of her marriage. Harshita, a woman described as beautiful, educated, and well-established, was tragically silenced in November 2024, allegedly at the hands of her husband, Pankaj Lamba.
Just days before her body was discovered in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Ilford, Lamba vanished. He didn’t simply disappear; he meticulously planned an escape, fleeing to his neighborhood near Delhi, leaving behind a life built on a foundation of lies.
Police believe the horror unfolded in their Corby, Northamptonshire home on November 10th. Harshita was allegedly strangled, her life extinguished before her body was callously abandoned in the car the following morning. Lamba, meanwhile, was already orchestrating his flight, boarding an Air India flight to Mumbai and then onward to Delhi.
His destination wasn’t simply a return to familiarity, but a rendezvous with a past life. He sought out Ms. Pandey, a masseuse he’d been involved with for years – a relationship that continued even after his marriage to Harshita. With her was her eleven-year-old daughter, and Lamba quickly integrated himself into their lives.
The chilling truth began to emerge: Lamba had been financially dependent on Harshita, and even his lover benefited from her earnings. Sonia Dabbas revealed the devastating reality, “My sister didn’t know anything about his double life.” Harshita unknowingly funded the very woman who shared a secret life with her husband.
Two months before her death, Harshita bravely filed a report detailing years of abuse. A handwritten note laid bare the extent of Pankaj’s control – sexual, physical, and financial. She accused him of seizing control of her accounts, isolating her, and dominating her finances.
Despite being charged with murder, rape, sexual assault, and coercive control in March, Lamba remains at large, a fugitive hiding in plain sight in India. He deliberately crafted a facade of normalcy, renting a modest apartment in Gurgaon with Ms. Pandey and her daughter, attempting to appear as a typical young family.
To further conceal his identity, Lamba opened a small snack stall, selling vegetables in the evenings, always masked and keeping the shop dimly lit. He avoided all contact, a deliberate attempt to blend into the background and evade detection.
Yet, glimpses of his true character surfaced. A shopkeeper described him as aggressive and ruthless in business, undercutting competitors and constantly advertising his low prices. Witnesses also noted the volatile dynamic between Lamba and Ms. Pandey, marked by frequent arguments and harsh treatment.
Paradoxically, others observed a different side. Neighbors reported seeing Lamba openly celebrating Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, laughing and dancing without a trace of fear. The scene was described as “eerie” when police began asking questions, revealing the reason for their search.
CCTV footage captured Lamba withdrawing over £5,400 in rupees on a single day in March, further evidence of his attempts to secure funds while on the run. Harshita’s family suspects complicity, believing a relative within the Delhi Police is actively aiding his escape.
Their frustration is palpable. They petitioned the Delhi High Court, accusing the police of inaction, and several family members were briefly arrested and released on bail. Lamba then vanished again, abandoning his shop and apartment.
“He has relatives who are policemen,” Sonia Dabbas stated, her voice filled with anguish. “In March this year he was seen on CCTV footage withdrawing money from a bank. Then how come he’s not been found yet? This is all because of corruption.”
Harshita’s father echoes her despair, lamenting the lost time. “We gave all the details to local police immediately after he landed in India. Had they acted swiftly earlier, he would’ve been caught by now.”
Despite the setbacks, Delhi Police maintain their resolve, offering a reward of roughly £422 for information leading to Lamba’s arrest. A spokesperson declared, “He cannot hide forever. We will get to him soon.” But for Harshita’s family, the wait for justice continues, shadowed by the chilling reality of a husband on the run and a system seemingly unable to bring him to account.
