'Accused Not Her Ex-Boyfriend': Nikitha Godishala's Father Alleges She Was Killed Over Money

The father of Nikitha Godishala, a 27-year-old Indian woman found dead in the United States, has denied claims that the man accused of her killing was her ex-boyfriend and clarified that he was, in fact, her former flatmate, who took a lot of money from her.

He also called on the Centre and Telangana government to assist in bringing her mortal remains back to India and urged authorities to ensure the accused is caught and punished.

Nikitha, a native of Hyderabad, was reported missing on January 2 from her Columbia, Maryland apartment.

Howard County police later found her dead with stab wounds.

Arjun Sharma, 26, has been named a suspect in her killing.

The US authorities have obtained a warrant for Sharma’s arrest on first and second-degree murder

charges, alleging he killed Nikitha and fled to India.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Anand Godishala said, “It is being shown as an ex-boyfriend. It is nothing of that sort. He is her former roommate.”

“Four people used to stay in an apartment. Her ex-roommate used to take a lot of money from my daughter. When she asked him to return the money before he flew to India, he killed her and ran away,” her father alleged, as he spoke to reporters.

“We request the Central and the state governments to help in bringing her mortal remains soon,” he said.

The Indian Express quoted Anand Godishala, further clarifying the relationship between Nikitha and Sharma.

“It is not right to call the accused her ex-boyfriend. He is her ex-flatmate. Four of them used to live in that apartment. After she started working two years ago, she moved to a separate flat. I believe that there was some financial disagreement with the accused,” he said.

Nikitha had last spoken to her father on the night of December 31, sending him greetings for the New Year.

According to Howard County police, Sharma filed the missing person report with authorities, claiming he last saw Nikitha on the same day, before leaving the US for India on January 2.

Police executed a search warrant at Sharma’s apartment and found Nikitha dead, with investigators believing the killing occurred shortly after 7 pm on December 31.

Nikitha had been residing in the US for four years, having moved there in 2021 for higher studies.

She was working as a Data and Strategy Analyst at Vheda Health after completing her MS, and was recently recognised as the company’s Best Employee, her uncle Santosh Kumar told PTI.

She last visited India three years ago.

The Indian Embassy in Washington DC said it is in contact with the family and providing all possible consular assistance while coordinating with local authorities to locate Sharma.

Anand said he is unaware of any financial disputes beyond what has been reported, but insisted that Sharma should face the strictest punishment under the law.

Nikitha’s family currently resides in Tarnaka, Hyderabad, and remains deeply distressed over her death, seeking swift repatriation of her remains and justice for the loss of their daughter.

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