The international manhunt for Pankaj Lamba, the prime suspect in the murder of his wife Harshita Brella, has taken a new turn as reports suggest he may have been living in India under a new identity. Harshita Brella, 24, was found dead in the boot of a car in Ilford, East London, on November 14, 2024. Detectives believe she was strangled in Corby, Northamptonshire, on the evening of November 10 before her body was transported to Ilford.

Pankaj Lamba, 23, fled the UK shortly after his wife's body was discovered, prompting an international manhunt. He was charged in absentia with Harshita's murder, as well as two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behavior.

Recent reports indicate that Lamba may have been residing near Delhi, not far from his childhood home, and running a snack and vegetable store. Locals reported that he kept his face covered and was seen with a woman and a young child. His former teacher, Sunil Saini, stated that he last saw Lamba in April 2025, when he closed the store because the police were closing in. Saini mentioned that Lamba contacted him in February or March 2025 and offered him restaurant items before leaving town around April 10th or 11th.

Earlier in 2025, there were sightings of Lamba withdrawing a large sum of money from a bank in Gurugram, a city south of Delhi. CCTV footage from March 4, 2025, showed him withdrawing Rs 430,000 (£3,760) from a bank while wearing a face mask. Prior to this, he had withdrawn Rs 21,000 (£184) from another bank on the same day.

Harshita and Pankaj had an arranged marriage in Delhi in March 2024, and she moved to the UK to join him a month later. However, the relationship was troubled, and Northamptonshire police had previously filed a domestic abuse case against Lamba in August 2024, leading to his arrest and subsequent release on bail. A domestic violence order was also issued to protect Harshita from Lamba.

Harshita's family has expressed their dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigation. Her sister, Sonia Dabas, has called for the case to be transferred to India's federal investigation agency, stating that the Indian police are not actively pursuing the matter. Harshita's father believes that justice is far from being served, with no trace of Lamba and a lack of updates from the Delhi police.

Northamptonshire Police stated that in July 2025, the senior investigating officer traveled to India to meet with Harshita's family and return some of her belongings. They confirmed that Indian authorities are aware of the charges against Lamba and are committed to bringing him to justice. Meanwhile, Delhi police had offered a reward of 50,000 rupees (£438) for information leading to Lamba's arrest. A "look out circular" was also issued to prevent him from fleeing India.

The case has drawn parallels to other instances of men in India being involved in the murder of their wives.