Four cops face misconduct inquiry over alleged abuse victim found dead

Four police officers are under investigation over their conduct in relation to the death of Harshita Brella. Brella contacted Northamptonshire police in August 2024 to report that her husband, Pankaj Lamba, was abusing her. According to the BBC, Lamba was arrested, then released on bail:

with conditions not to contact his wife, and issued with a domestic violence protection order.

Brella’s body was found in the boot of a car on 14 November 2024. It is believe she was strangled four days earlier.

The BBC said:

The Northamptonshire force later referred itself to the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct] – a mandatory step because of officers’ previous contact with Ms Brella.

Police have case to answer of gross misconduct in abuse inquiry

That initial IPOC found that disciplinary action was merited:

Having examined all available evidence, it is our opinion the two detective constables have a case to answer for gross misconduct.

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.

They added:

Our investigation also concluded there is a misconduct case to answer for a sergeant and chief inspector over their supervision and review of the domestic abuse investigation and associated risk assessment for Ms Brella.

Officers to face disciplinary action

Derrick Campbell, IOPC director of engagement, told the BBC:

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.

The police track record on domestic violence continues to fall short. An IOPC report from 2024 found:

victim-survivors continue to describe poor experiences when reporting their abuse to the police, despite a number of new initiatives and measures by the police.

A 2023 report by Baroness Casey found “institutional racism, sexism and homophobia in the Met” and that “predatory and unacceptable behaviour has been allowed to flourish”. This was compounded by a “culture of denial”.

The British police as a whole have a culture of extreme impunity. And repeated inquires and trials have so far failed to change it. The Brella inquiry is yet to report. But the overall cost of these endless ‘failings’ is measured in lives ruined and lives lost.

Featured image via ITV