Police launch CCTV of Harshita Brella’s fugitive husband moments after ‘dumping her physique in boot of automotive’ in Ilford – as reason for dying is revealed

CCTV emerged today showing a fugitive husband moments after allegedly dumping his wife’s body in the boot of a car in Ilford – as police revealed she died of strangulation.  

Harshita Brella, 24, was found inside the boot of a vehicle on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of Thursday.

An international manhunt is currently underway for Ms Brella’s husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, who is suspected of killing his wife in Corby on the evening of Sunday November 10 before driving driving 100 miles to ditch her body in Ilford the next day. He is believed to have fled to India.

Today, officers released new images of Lamba walking down Jaffe Road in Ilford shortly after allegedly leaving his dead wife in a Silver Vauxhall Corsa. Further photos show the car on Brisbane Road, where it was later found with Ms Brella’s body inside.

Yesterday, it emerged Ms Brella had previously tried to run away from her husband, and that she first went to police claiming to have been the victim of domestic violence in August.

Her sister Sonia Dabas said: ‘Our world has been turned upside down. We’re calling on the UK and Indian governments to capture him.’

Pankaj Lamba, 23, walks down Jaffe Road in Ilford after allegedly dumping his wife’s Harshita Brella’s body in the boot of a car 

Lamba’s Silver Vauxhall Corsa on Brisbane Road. Ms Brella’s body was later found in the vehicle 

More CCTV stills showing Lamba in Ilford after he allegedly left his wife’s body in the car 

Harshita Brella, 24, was found inside the boot of a vehicle on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of Thursday 

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said: ‘Our inquiries have established that Pankaj Lamba drove a Silver Vauxhall Corsa from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of Monday, November 11.

‘We suspect Harshita’s body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby. Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford and made his getaway.

‘We are continuing to appeal for information and I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or had any sightings of Pankaj Lamba in Corby, Ilford or elsewhere in the days leading up to the discovery of Harshita’s body, to contact police as soon as possible.

‘Any information, no matter how small, may be relevant to the investigation and help us get justice for Harshita.’

Videos on social media of Ms Brella’s wedding in India in March show her panting for breath, placing a hand on her chest, with the caption: ‘That nervousness after becoming bride.’ 

She had spent £300 on make-up and an elaborate wedding lehenga skirt.

Lamba was later arrested and bailed with conditions not to contact her. 

Northamptonshire Police have named her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, as a suspect

Tragic final videos show ‘very happy’ Ms Brella, 24, on her wedding day just months before her body was found in a car boot in Ilford

Ms Brella with her sister in a video during ornate ceremonies solemnising her marriage to Pankaj Lamba

Harshita and Lamba tied the knot in March

Ms Brella last spoke to her family on November 10. 

Ms Dabas said her sister’s phone was off for the next two days, and by Wednesday they ‘thought something was wrong’ and asked people they knew to file a police complaint.

Speaking to the BBC from Delhi, the family revealed Ms Brella had been ‘excited’ to move to the UK in April. 

But at the end of August, she phoned her father to say she had run away from the couple’s home. 

Ms Dabas recalled: ‘[Harshita] said he was hitting her and she escaped. She ran out on the streets, he chased after her.’

Forensic officers at Ms Brella’s home in Corby, Northamptonshire

Officers at murder victim Ms Brella’s home in Corby on Sunday morning

Ms Brella’s body was found 94 miles from her home in Northamptonshire

A domestic violence protection order was granted but he was not charged with any offence.

Last Wednesday, police received a call about concerns for Ms Brella’s welfare. 

Her body was found the next day, 100 miles from her home in Corby, Northamptonshire, and on Sunday, Lamba was named as the prime suspect.