Nikitha Godishala Murder In US: Prime Accused Arrested In Tamil Nadu
Nikitha Godishala's body was found with stab wounds in her ex-boyfriend's apartment in Maryland.
Published : January 5, 2026 at 2:31 PM IST
|Updated : January 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM IST
Hyderabad: In a key development in the Nikitha Godishala murder case, the Interpol authorities have arrested the prime suspect, Arjun Sharma, in Tamil Nadu.
Nikitha, a 27-year-old data and strategy analyst, was reported missing from Ellicott City in Maryland, USA, on January 2. According to Howard County Police, she was last seen on December 31 at the Columbia, Maryland apartment of Arjun Sharma. Her body was discovered on January 3 during a search of Sharma's apartment, where police found multiple stab wounds, raising suspicions of murder.
Investigators revealed that Sharma, 26, himself had filed a missing person report with the police on January 2, claiming he last saw Nikitha on December 31.
However, police later learned that Sharma had boarded a flight to India on the same day the report was filed. This development led US authorities to issue an arrest warrant against him on charges of first and second-degree murder.
Based on preliminary investigations, detectives believe that Nikitha was murdered shortly after 7 pm on December 31. The motive behind the murder is yet to be established, and the investigation remains ongoing. US federal agencies are coordinating with Indian authorities to complete the legal process related to Sharma's arrest and possible extradition.
The Indian Embassy in Washington DC confirmed that it is in touch with Nikitha's family and is extending all possible consular assistance. Embassy officials stated that they are closely following the case with local authorities in the US.
The Embassy is in contact with the family of Ms. Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance. The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities. @MEAIndia
— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) January 4, 2026
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Hyderabad on Monday, Anand, Nikitha's father, said the prime suspect, Arjun Sharma, used to borrow money from several people, including his daughter.
Anand also clarified that Arjun was not Nikitha's ex-boyfriend, as reported by some media outlets, but her former flatmate in the US.
"Arjun Sharma was Nikitha's former flatmate where she used to share an apartment along with four others. Arjun used to borrow money from everyone there, including from my daughter," he said, alleging that "there might be some financial reason behind Nikitha's death."
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