Neighbour reports hearing a ‘heated row’ at Harshita Brella’s home the day before her body was discovered
A neighbour living next to Harshita Brella in Corby, Kelly Philp, has alleged that she overheard a heated argument between a man and a woman at Harshita’s home on the same day that police were alerted about concerns for her welfare. Kelly, a 41-year-old single mother, shared that she heard a commotion between the man and woman which made the woman sound frightened. She mentioned hearing banging around and angry voices in a different language coming from Harshita’s home. Despite feeling concerned, Kelly did not call the police at the time, assuming it was a relationship dispute. Later, she heard a gate slam loudly and two men arguing in another language during the early hours of Saturday. The increased noise prompted Kelly to suspect that someone had been hurt. She expressed feeling on edge and vulnerable following the incident, and was saddened by the loss of the young woman.
The home where Harshita resided, reportedly a house of multiple occupation (HMO) with about five occupants, had been quiet in recent months. Harshita had lived there for approximately a year. Police launched a murder investigation after discovering Harshita’s body in the boot of a car in Ilford, nearly 96 miles away from her Corby residence. Authorities were initially called to check on her welfare at her home on Skegness Walk on Wednesday, prompting a missing person inquiry. Her body was found on Brisbane Road early Thursday. A post-mortem confirmed she was murdered, leading to a revelation that police believe Pankaj Lamba, Harshita’s husband, murdered her and had fled the country.
Harshita had previously been a victim of domestic violence and was granted a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) against an individual in early September. The order, lasting 28 days, prohibited the individual from contacting, intimidating, or harassing her. No formal charges were brought against the individual following the court hearing. Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding their interactions with Harshita.
Neighbours in the area reported an increased police presence on Brisbane Road where Harshita’s body was found. Residents expressed shock and sadness, recalling disturbances that had occurred in the property housing up to 12 residents the previous year. The house had since been quieter, but the recent incident rattled the community. Police continue to investigate the case and urge anyone with information to come forward.
In conclusion, the tragic events surrounding Harshita Brella’s murder shed light on the prevalence of domestic violence and the need for better protection measures for victims. The community’s response underscores the impact of such incidents on neighbours and the collective call for justice and safety.