An Indian-origin woman, Nikitha Godishala (27), was allegedly killed over a financial dispute in the United States, her family has claimed, rejecting earlier reports that described the accused as her ex-boyfriend. The incident took place in Howard County, Columbia, Maryland, on New Year’s Eve.
Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, Nikitha’s father, Anand Godishala, said the accused, Arjun Sharma (26), was not his daughter’s former romantic partner but her ex-roommate. According to him, the murder was motivated by money, not a relationship dispute.
Nikitha, a data analyst, had been living in the US for the past four years and was working in Maryland. Her father said four people earlier shared an apartment, including Sharma, who allegedly borrowed large sums of money from Nikitha over time. When she asked him to return the amount before he left for India, he allegedly stabbed her and fled.
Media reports suggest Sharma had borrowed around USD 4,500 (approximately ₹4.07 lakh) from Nikitha in the days before her death. While he reportedly returned USD 3,500, he later asked for another USD 1,000, which Nikitha refused. Her cousin has reportedly informed the Indian Embassy in the US about the financial transactions.
Howard County police said Nikitha was reported missing on January 2 and was later found dead with stab wounds inside the Columbia apartment linked to Sharma. Investigators believe the killing was premeditated. A warrant has been issued against Sharma for first- and second-degree murder, and US authorities have stated that he fled to India after the crime.
There were unconfirmed reports of Sharma’s arrest in Tamil Nadu, but NDTV sources said the detained person was later released after being identified as someone else.
Nikitha’s father has appealed to both the state and central governments in India to ensure her body is brought back home swiftly and that the accused faces strict punishment. Nikitha last spoke to her family on the night of December 31, wishing them a happy New Year, just hours before she was killed.
