Arjun Sharma, 26, was arrested in Tamil Nadu on Monday, January 5. He allegedly fled the United States after being charged with murdering his ex-roommate, Nikitha Godishala, originally from Hyderabad.
On January 2, Sharma reported Nikitha missing to Howard County authorities, claiming he last saw her on New Year’s Eve at his apartment on Twin River Road. The next day, police found Nikitha dead at Sharma’s Columbia apartment in Maryland. Sharma allegedly left the country after this discovery, leading to an international search for him.
Howard County Police collaborated with federal and international agencies to locate Sharma. “The US Attorney’s office is working with Interpol, which will issue a ‘red notice’, an international arrest warrant,” said police spokesperson Seth Hoffman to CBSNews.
Police revealed that Nikitha had multiple stab wounds when found in her ex-partner’s apartment. They classified it as a homicide and issued a warrant for Sharma’s arrest, charging him with first and second-degree murder for allegedly killing Nikitha before escaping to India. The reason behind the stabbing is still unclear.
Hoffman mentioned no previous incidents or service calls involving the pair. “They often met and communicated after their relationship ended, but we don’t know why he would kill her,” he noted.
Nikitha’s father, Anand Godishala, demanded severe punishment for his daughter’s killer. He clarified that Sharma was just a former roommate. “Sharma is not her ex-boyfriend. He made the police report and then fled to India,” Anand told journalists.
Anand mentioned reports suggesting Sharma had debts and planned to return to India. He was unaware of any financial disputes that could have led to the alleged murder.
Nikitha had lived alone in Ellicott City for four years, working as a data and strategy analyst at Vheda Health after earning an MS degree in the US, according to her uncle Santosh. She last visited India three years ago, and her family learned of her death through a cousin in the US.
Anand’s family, originally from Hyderabad, currently resides in Tarnaka.
