She Had Innocence Of Kid, Thought If She Was Good To Others, Others Would Be Good To Her: Sister
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday deferred to March 26 the hearing of a petition related to the alleged murder of city resident Harshita Brella in London. The matter was scheduled before the single-judge bench of Justice Sachin Dutta, said advocate Rushabh Aggarwal, counsel for the petitioner.
HC Directs MEA To Appoint Nodal Officer
In February, Brella’s sister Sonia Daba had filed a petition in HC stating concerns that the MEA was not adequately following up with UK authorities to expedite the investigation. During the hearing, HC directed the ministry to appoint a nodal officer in the matter to liaise with her and the investigating agencies in the UK, ensuring a smooth exchange of information and updates related to the case.
Harshita’s Body Found In Car Boot In London
Brella’s body was found in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Ilford on Nov 14 last year, following which an investigation was launched. The news reached her father in India through the local police, which conveyed a message from Interpol UK via Interpol India.
Family Recalls Harshita’s Struggles
“We urged her to return after the incidents of extreme domestic violence, but she told us she couldn’t return as she had filed a complaint and there were rules,” recalls Satbir Singh, father of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, who was murdered in Corby, UK, recently. The grieving father is fighting for justice from his humble residence in Sadh Nagar, Palam, south-west Delhi, hoping that Harshita’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, is given the harshest punishment he deserves.
‘She Was As Innocent As A Kid’
“She was as innocent as a kid,” says her elder sister, Sonia Dabas, as her voice quivers in sorrow. “She always thought if she was good to others, others would be good to her.” Recalling how they were inseparable as siblings, Sonia says, “We never needed a third person. We were engrossed in each other’s company.” She remembers Harshita as a person ‘full of life’, enjoying food and shopping on the streets of GK and Sarojini Nagar.
Harshita’s Education And Career
Born and raised in Delhi, Harshita attended Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya in Dwarka and later pursued Hindi (Hons) at Venkateswara College in Delhi University. After completing her B Ed, she began tutoring students. “Parents often said they won’t ever find a teacher like her,” Sonia remembers.
Marriage And Move To UK
Despite her wish to pursue teaching, Harshita eventually agreed to marry after a proposal came through relatives. The family agreed too. But little did they know what lay ahead. “We were told Pankaj worked for a good company,” her sister recalls. “But later, we discovered he was a security guard, a job he was forced to leave. Then he took up a pizza delivery job,” says Sonia.
The wedding took place on March 21, 2024, at a farmhouse in Bijwasan. A few days later, Pankaj left for the UK, and Harshita joined him a month later in April.
Domestic Abuse And Escape Attempts
“Initially, Harshita faced some challenges adjusting to the new life but continued to stay positive,” recalls her sister. It wasn’t until domestic abuse began that she reached out to her family for help. Harshita confided in them, revealing the hardships she was facing.
Singh recalls a call from Harshita while she was running on the streets of an unfamiliar country in the middle of the night. “She called me and told me what had happened. She then called one of her colleagues, also an Indian. I asked her to run towards her colleague,” he shares. “That night, Harshita was thrashed by Pankaj. When she tried to escape, he chased her down the street, assaulting her and hurling abusive words at her.”
Financial Abuse And Miscarriage
It was then that Harshita approached the authorities for help. She stayed at her colleague’s house for a couple of days and then under police protection, as per family members. “She suffered a miscarriage during this time. Harshita was not only physically abused but financially drained. Pankaj regularly took money from her using various excuses—whether for groceries or friends. When they lived together, he made her work extra hours for more money, even on her days off. When she came home, she had to do all the housework. She wasn’t even allowed to talk to anyone,” recalls Sonia.
The Final Call
The last time Harshita called her family, it was around midnight in India. “She told my mother that she should sleep as they had to attend a wedding the next day,” Sonia recalls. Days passed, but Harshita’s family could not reach her. Then, on Nov 15, 2024, her father received the devastating news. “I got a call from one of the Dwarka police stations, and the person said, ‘Your daughter has been murdered’. I was alone at home when I came to know of this.”
Harshita’s Murder And Investigation
Harshita would have turned 25 on Christmas Day, but tragically, she never lived to see it. Her body was found in the boot of a car in East London, four days after her death. Investigators believe she was strangled by Pankaj on Nov 10, 2024, in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Dowry Harassment Allegations
The family claims they were being pressured for dowry. “On Sep 14, Pankaj’s relatives came to our house and threatened us, demanding more dowry, despite already receiving a significant amount during the wedding,” says the father.
Family Suspects Murder Was Planned
The family also believes that Pankaj planned her murder, and his family helped him evade the law. “They did not attend the funeral, nor did they reach out when they learned of Harshita’s death. Both Harshita and Pankaj were missing, yet Pankaj’s family did not file a missing person report. Why?” Singh questions.
A Father’s Plea For Justice
Praying for justice, Singh says, “We want Pankaj to be given the punishment he deserves.”
