Four police officers are facing misconduct proceedings over their handling of abuse allegations reported by Harshita Brella, who was later found dead in a car boot.
The 24-year-old from Corby was found in a car in Ilford, east London, 100 miles (160km) from her home in November 2024.
Northamptonshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable, Emma James, said misconduct proceedings were now under way in relation to four of the force’s officers, after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A manhunt to locate Ms Brella’s husband Pankaj Lamba, who is believed to have left the UK for India, is ongoing after a murder charge was authorised against the 23-year-old.
The IOPC said Ms Brella had contacted Northamptonshire Police on 29 August 2024, alleging abuse by her then husband, Mr Lamba.
He was arrested a few days afterwards on 3 September and released on police bail with conditions not to contact his wife, and issued with a domestic violence protection order.
Ms Brella’s body was discovered in the boot of a Vauxhall Corsa two months later, on 14 November. It is believed she died by strangulation in Corby on the evening of 10 November.
The Northamptonshire force later referred itself to the IOPC – a mandatory step because of officers’ previous contact with Ms Brella.
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