Four Northamptonshire Police officers are now set to face misconduct proceedings after a harrowing case involving the death of 24-year-old Harshita Brella has cast a harsh spotlight on the force’s handling of domestic abuse allegations. The case, which has prompted widespread public concern and renewed scrutiny of police practices, has raised difficult questions about accountability, institutional culture, and the protection of vulnerable individuals in the UK.
Harshita Brella, a young woman from Corby, Northamptonshire, reported abuse by her husband, Pankaj Lamba, to Northamptonshire Police on August 29, 2024, according to reports from the BBC and The Guardian. Just days later, on September 3, Lamba was arrested and released on bail with strict conditions: he was not to contact his wife and was issued a domestic violence protection order. However, what followed would become a tragic and deeply troubling episode.
On November 14, 2024, Brella’s body was discovered in the boot of a Vauxhall Corsa parked in Ilford, east London—approximately 100 miles from her home. Police believe she died by strangulation in Corby on the evening of November 10, just four days before her body was found. The circumstances of her death led to a manhunt for her husband, Pankaj Lamba, who is believed to have fled the UK for India. In March 2025, he was charged in absentia with murder, two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour, as reported by BBC and Press Association.
Given the police’s prior contact with Brella, Northamptonshire Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in November 2024, a mandatory step in such circumstances. The IOPC launched a comprehensive investigation into the force’s handling of Brella’s allegations, focusing on two detective constables who led the domestic abuse investigation and two senior officers with supervisory responsibilities.
After months of scrutiny, the IOPC concluded on November 24, 2025, that all four officers should face disciplinary proceedings. The watchdog found that the two detective constables had a case to answer for gross misconduct, citing failures to appropriately review the case, set investigative actions, seek supervisory advice, or keep Brella sufficiently updated. "We believe a police disciplinary panel could find the officers didn’t appropriately review the case, set investigative actions, seek supervisory advice, or keep Ms Brella sufficiently updated," the IOPC stated, as reported by the BBC.
Additionally, a sergeant and a chief inspector were found to have a case to answer for misconduct regarding their supervision and review of the domestic abuse investigation and associated risk assessment. The IOPC said the officers "may potentially have breached police standards of professional behaviour relating to duties and responsibilities." Derrick Campbell, director of engagement at the IOPC, commented, "Our independent investigation examined Northamptonshire Police’s response to the disclosure made by Ms Brella that she’d suffered domestic abuse. It has scrutinised their investigation strategy, actions taken, communication with the victim, and any safeguarding considerations. After a thorough review of the evidence, we have determined four officers should face disciplinary proceedings."
It will now be up to a police disciplinary panel to determine whether the allegations are proven. Northamptonshire Police confirmed that proceedings are underway and that the force will review the IOPC’s report thoroughly. Assistant Chief Constable Emma James said, "We will review [the IOPC] report thoroughly to understand the issues raised and will seek to implement any recommendations that improve the quality of service we provide. The murder investigation into Harshita’s death is ongoing, and our thoughts remain with her family and friends as we continue to work hard to bring the offender for Harshita’s murder to justice."
The IOPC’s investigation also identified potential areas of learning for Northamptonshire Police’s domestic abuse investigation unit. The watchdog noted that its findings would be reviewed by the force in a bid to improve future responses to similar cases. This follows a wider context of concern over police responses to domestic abuse in the UK. An IOPC report from 2024 found that victim-survivors continue to describe poor experiences when reporting abuse to police, despite new initiatives and measures aimed at improving outcomes. As The Canary reported, a 2023 review by Baroness Casey highlighted deep-rooted institutional issues within the police, including racism, sexism, and homophobia, and described a "culture of denial" that has allowed predatory and unacceptable behaviour to persist.
For many, the Brella case is a sobering reminder of the real-life consequences when police fail to act decisively to protect those at risk. The police’s own referral to the IOPC underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for transparency and accountability. The fact that four officers are now facing disciplinary proceedings marks a significant step, but advocates for domestic abuse survivors argue that much more needs to be done to address systemic problems within law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the manhunt for Pankaj Lamba continues. Authorities believe he has left the UK for India, and efforts to locate and extradite him are ongoing. The case remains open, and Brella’s family and friends are left waiting for justice. As Derrick Campbell of the IOPC noted, "This is a harrowing case in which a young woman was killed not long after arriving in the UK to start a new life. Our thoughts remain with Ms Brella’s family and friends as they seek justice for what happened."
The disciplinary proceedings for the four Northamptonshire Police officers are expected to be closely watched, both within the force and by the wider public. The outcome could have implications not only for those directly involved but also for broader efforts to reform police responses to domestic abuse and restore public trust in law enforcement.
As the investigation into Harshita Brella’s death continues, and as the disciplinary process unfolds, the case serves as a stark illustration of the stakes involved when institutions fall short of their duty to protect. The lessons learned here will be crucial for shaping a more responsive, accountable, and compassionate policing culture in the future.
