Father of Hyderabad woman found dead in US seeks justice

The father of Nikitha Godishala, who was found dead in the US on Monday (January 5, 2026), called for tough punishment for the person responsible for his daughter's death.

Anand Godisala denied that Arjun Sharma, suspect in the alleged murder of Nikitha (27), was her ex-boyfriend and said he was her roommate earlier along with two others. He urged the Centre and the Telangana government to help repatriate her mortal remains.

Expressing sadness over the demise of Nikitha, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy said he spoke to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to bring back the body at the earliest.

Nikitha, of Ellicott City in America, was reported missing on January 2. Howard County police had said that she was found dead with stab wounds in the Columbia, Maryland apartment of Arjun Sharma (26). The US police have obtained a warrant for Sharma’s arrest on first- and second-degree murder charges, alleging that he killed her and fled to India. Anand said Nikitha last called on December 31 night and wished him on the occasion of the new year.

"He (Arjun Sharma) is a former roommate and not her ex-boyfriend. He reportedly made the complaint (to the police in US) and fled to India. He should be caught and given tough punishment," an inconsolable Anand told reporters.

Citing media reports, Anand said his daughter came to know that Sharma had taken loans from many people and was planning to leave for India.

Nikitha, elder daughter of Anand, lived in the US for the last four years and worked there. She last visited India three years ago, he added.

Nikitha's uncle Santosh Kumar told PTI that she worked as a Data and Strategy Analyst at Vheda Health after completing her MS in the US. She won the Best Employee award last month, he said. The parents came to know of Nikitha's death from her cousin, who also lives in the US, Santosh said.

Mr. Anand's family, natives of Hyderabad, currently reside at Tarnaka in the city. In a post on X, Union Minister Kishan Reddy said, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief. I have spoken to the Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, who is currently on official tour in Germany, and am personally in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure that the mortal remains are repatriated to India at the earliest." Nikitha and her family belong to Mr. Kishan Reddy's Lok Sabha constituency of Secunderabad.

Mr. Kishan Reddy said his office and the BJP in Hyderabad is also coordinating with Nikitha’s family to provide every possible assistance during the difficult time.