Harshita Brella: Husband of woman found dead in car boot had been arrested over domestic abuse report

The husband of a woman whose body was found in a car boot had been arrested two months before over a domestic abuse report, according to the police watchdog.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it would investigate police contact with Harshita Brella, 24, and her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23.

Ms Brella's body was found in a silver Vauxhall Corsa parked in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of 14 November.

There is an international manhunt to find Mr Lamba, who police think has fled the country.

IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell said it would investigate officers' contact with Ms Brella after Northamptonshire Police referred itself to the watchdog.

"We will be examining the police response to Ms Brella's report of domestic abuse made at the end of August this year," said Mr Campbell.

"We understand Mr Lamba was arrested by Northamptonshire Police on 3 September and was released with bail conditions and a domestic violence protection notice imposed on him.

"We will look into further contact Northamptonshire Police had with Ms Brella concerning the case.

"Our investigation will consider the actions and decisions taken by Northamptonshire Police in relation to the report made by Ms Brella and their subsequent investigation."

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