Four officers from the Northamptonshire Police are scheduled for misconduct hearings due to their management of domestic abuse allegations linked to Harshita Brella, whose tragic death in November 2024 has raised serious concerns about police protocols. Brella, aged 24 and from Corby, was discovered deceased in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, on November 14, 2024. It is suspected that she was strangled in Corby days earlier, on November 10.
The investigation into Brella’s death has led to a manhunt for her husband, Pankaj Lamba, who is 23 years old and has been charged with her murder. Authorities believe he fled the UK for India. Following Brella’s death, the Northamptonshire Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on November 20. This self-referral was mandatory due to prior interactions between Brella and the officers involved.
On the findings released on March 21, 2024, the IOPC determined that four police officers should face misconduct proceedings concerning their handling of Brella’s domestic abuse claims. According to the IOPC, “it is our view the officers may potentially have breached police standards of professional behaviour.” The investigation revealed that two detective constables are facing allegations of gross misconduct regarding their investigation into Brella’s claims. Additionally, a sergeant and a chief inspector will be held accountable for their oversight of the investigation.
The Assistant Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, Emma James, stated that the force would conduct a thorough review of the IOPC’s report to address the issues raised and implement any recommendations aimed at improving service quality.
Brella initially contacted Northamptonshire Police on August 29, 2024, reporting incidents of domestic abuse by Lamba. Following her allegations, he was arrested on September 3, only to be released on bail with specific conditions prohibiting contact with Brella, alongside a domestic violence protection order issued against him.
Derrick Campbell, the director of engagement at the IOPC, emphasized that their investigation scrutinized multiple aspects of the police response, including the investigation strategy, the actions taken, the communication with Brella, and safeguarding measures. After a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence, the IOPC concluded that disciplinary proceedings were warranted against the four officers involved.
The IOPC’s investigation has also identified areas for potential improvement within the Northamptonshire Police’s domestic abuse investigation unit, which is currently under review. As the hearings proceed, the case continues to shed light on the critical need for effective handling of domestic abuse claims, as well as the accountability of law enforcement agencies in such sensitive matters.
