UK man charged with murder, believed hiding in India

A 23-year-old man in the UK has been charged with murdering his wife, but he is still at large. Pankaj Lamba, formerly from Corby, faced charges at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. These charges include the murder of Harshita Brella, along with two counts of rape, sexual assault, and coercive behavior. Lamba is believed to be hiding in India after fleeing the UK following his wife's death. Relevant authorities continue to investigate the case. Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell expressed the commitment to seek justice for Brella and her family, while noting that the case remains active. Brella's family filed a complaint in India, accusing Lamba and his parents of dowry harassment. Last week, Lamba's parents were arrested on these charges. They are currently in judicial custody. Brella was found dead in November last year, and detectives believe she was murdered in Corby. After the murder, Lamba reportedly fled to India. He was last known to have traveled from Heathrow to Mumbai and then to Delhi. Brella’s family is concerned about the slow progress of the investigation and has demanded more action from the authorities. They raised these concerns in the Delhi High Court. The court has ordered an update from Delhi Police regarding the investigation. Brella’s sister expressed frustration and questioned whether the case is being taken seriously due to their Indian heritage. Delhi Police have issued a lookout notice for Lamba, but Brella's family is worried about the delays. Meanwhile, Lamba's mother indicated she last heard from him on the day Brella was murdered.