Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Parents of Harshita Brella murder suspect arrested in India

Indian police said Darshan Singh and Sunil Devi face charges under the country's "dowry death" law, which applies when a woman dies due to burns or bodily injury within seven years of marriage.

Harshita Brella

Brella, 24, was found dead in the boot of a car in Ilford, London, in November last year.

THE PARENTS of Pankaj Lamba, the man suspected of murdering his wife, Harshita Brella, have been arrested in India.

Indian police said Darshan Singh and Sunil Devi face charges under the country's "dowry death" law, which applies when a woman dies due to burns or bodily injury within seven years of marriage, and it is shown that she was subjected to cruelty or harassment related to dowry demands, the BBC reported.


Conviction under this law carries a minimum sentence of seven years, with the possibility of life imprisonment.

Brella, 24, was found dead in the boot of a car in Ilford, London, in November last year. Northamptonshire Police believe Lamba, 23, killed her before fleeing the UK.

He was previously known to officers and had been the subject of a domestic violence protection order. His whereabouts remain unknown.

Brella’s father, Satbir Singh, told the BBC that after months of waiting, he felt some progress was being made.

Northamptonshire Police have submitted their findings to the Crown Prosecution Service and are awaiting a decision on charges.

Brella and Lamba had an arranged marriage, with a legal wedding in August 2023. Their traditional ceremony was held on 22 March 2024, before they moved to Corby in April.

More For You

warmest day

The warmth will persist into Friday, with many regions continuing to enjoy higher temperatures

Getty Images

UK set for warmest day of 2025 as spring equinox brings higher temperatures

The spring equinox on Thursday is expected to deliver the warmest day of 2025 so far, with temperatures forecast to be “well above average,” according to the Met Office.

On Wednesday, the highest recorded temperature was 18.7C in Northolt, west London. Simon Partridge, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said Thursday will remain largely dry with plenty of sunny intervals, adding, “It will be a little warmer too.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Agencies aim to improve justice for ‘honour’-based abuse victims

“There is no honour in ‘honour’-based abuse which is a serious crime and a human rights abuse"

iStock

Agencies aim to improve justice for ‘honour’-based abuse victims

JESS PHILLIPS MP, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, has called for multi-agency collaboration to deliver justice for victims of so-called ‘honour’-based abuse at an event this week.

Organised by agencies across the criminal justice system, the Birmingham event on Monday (17) aimed to strengthen collaboration between them to identify cases and improve justice outcomes for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

Keep ReadingShow less
King Charles III’s aide Muna Shamsuddin’s journey from Kerala to Buckingham Palace

Muna's story is a testament to how talent and perseverance can transcend borders

Instagram/ muna.shamsuddin - Getty Images

King Charles III’s aide Muna Shamsuddin’s journey from Kerala to Buckingham Palace

In the intricate tapestry of the British monarchy's operations, certain individuals stand out for their unique contributions and backgrounds. One such figure is Muna Shamsuddin, a woman whose journey from the serene landscapes of Kerala’s Kasaragod to the bustling corridors of Buckingham Palace epitomises dedication, cultural fusion, and exceptional service. Her role as Assistant Private Secretary to King Charles III showcases her remarkable diplomatic career and her ability to bridge cultural divides at the highest level of governance.

Roots in Kerala

Muna Shamsuddin’s story begins in Kasaragod, a picturesque district in Kerala, India. Born to the late Dr Puthyapurayil Shamsuddin, a distinguished lawyer, and Shahnaz alias Sayedunnisa, Muna was raised in an environment that placed a strong emphasis on education and cultural heritage. Her father’s career as a legal expert took the family to several countries, including the USA, UK, and Saudi Arabia, before they eventually settled in Birmingham, UK. This international exposure not only broadened Muna's worldview but also cultivated a sense of adaptability and ambition that would later define her career. Her early experiences, combined with a multicultural upbringing, laid a solid foundation for her to navigate the complex world of international diplomacy.

Keep ReadingShow less
LEAD Comment Gareth Thomas byline pic
Gareth Thomas

Gareth Thomas MP to host conference on reviving Gujarati education in UK

GARETH THOMAS MP will host a one-day conference in central London on Saturday (22) to address the decline in Gujarati language education in the UK.

The event will bring together education experts, the examination board Pearson UK, Gujarati teachers, and other practitioners to collaborate on strategies to promote and strengthen the teaching of Gujarati, a statement said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Panel urges enhanced reporting as concerns raised over Hindu hate crimes

Krupesh Hirani , Kaya Comer-Schwartz and Varinder Hayre with other panel discussion participants

Panel urges enhanced reporting as concerns raised over Hindu hate crimes

Mahesh Liloriya

THE London Assembly member for Brent and Harrow, Krupesh Hirani, led a panel discussion on hate crimes against Hindus at City Hall on Monday (17).

Kaya Comer-Schwartz, the deputy mayor of London for policing and crime; Metropolitan Police superintendent Owen Renowden; Varinder Hayre OBE from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and the Community Security Trust’s (CST) Colin took part in the meeting, which was attended by community representatives. They raised concerns over the term Hinduphobia, saying it misrepresented the nature of discrimination faced by Hindus.

Keep ReadingShow less