Nikitha Godishala murder case: Man who fled to India after killing ex-girlfriend arrested in Tamil Nadu
PTC News Desk: Arjun Sharma, a 26-year-old Indian citizen has been arrested in Tamil Nadu for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Nikita Godishala, in Maryland, United States. The arrest follows an international manhunt led by Interpol.
According to the police, Sharma lodged a complaint on January 2, stating that his girlfriend, 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala from Ellicott City, had been missing since New Year’s Eve. He claimed he last saw her at his apartment on Twin Rivers Road in Columbia. Following the report, police immediately launched an investigation.
Sharma's complaints soon turned suspicious after it was reported that he had left the United States for India the same day he filed the complaint. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for Sharma’s apartment on Twin Rivers Road in Columbia, Maryland. On January 3, investigators found Godishala’s body inside the apartment.
On January 3, Godishala’s body was found inside the flat, bearing multiple stab wounds. After the recovery of the body, police issued an arrest warrant for Sharma and began efforts to locate him.
Godishala was working as a Data and Strategy Analyst at Vheda Health since February 2025. She had recently received the company’s “All-In Award”, according to sources close to the family.
US federal agencies worked in close coordination with Indian authorities to track Sharma after he left the country. Sources said Interpol police arrested him in Tamil Nadu after continuous monitoring and sharing of information between different agencies.
Formal extradition proceedings are likely to begin next.
As the case drew public attention, the Indian Embassy in the US said it was in contact with Nikitha Godishala’s family and was providing consular support. The Embassy said it is also following up with local authorities.
Officials also clarified rumours on social media, stating that the person shown in a widely shared image related to the case is not an accused.
- With inputs from agencies
