Ex-boyfriend arrested in India for murder of Indian-American woman in US

By Sumesh Rajan | January 5, 2026

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA: A 26-year-old Indian national, Arjun Sharma, has been arrested in Tamil Nadu for allegedly murdering his former girlfriend, Nikitha Rao Godishala, an Indian-American data analyst, in the United States and fleeing to India shortly after the crime. The arrest followed an international manhunt coordinated by Interpol and US federal agencies.

Godishala, 27, who was based in Maryland, was reported missing on January 2 after Sharma approached the Howard County Police claiming he had last seen her on New Year’s Eve. However, investigators soon discovered that Sharma had boarded a flight to India on the same day he filed the missing person complaint, raising suspicions.

A search warrant was subsequently obtained for Sharma’s apartment on Twin Rivers Road in Columbia, Maryland. On January 3, police recovered Godishala’s body from inside the apartment. She had sustained multiple stab wounds, and the case was classified as a homicide.

Following the recovery of the body, the Howard County Police secured arrest warrants against Sharma on charges of first-degree and second-degree murder. Police officials said the motive behind the crime is still under investigation. “We don’t have a motive at this time,” a Howard County police spokesperson said, adding that while the couple had ended their relationship, they continued to remain in contact.

Godishala was living independently in Ellicott City, Maryland, and had been working as a Data and Strategy Analyst at Vheda Health since February 2025. She was recently honoured with the company’s “All-In Award,” according to sources close to her family.

After Sharma fled the United States, US authorities coordinated with Indian agencies to track his movements. He was arrested in Tamil Nadu following sustained surveillance and intelligence sharing. Formal extradition proceedings to bring him back to the United States are expected to begin soon.

Meanwhile, Godishala’s family has alleged that Sharma had borrowed money from both her and her relatives and had carried out unauthorised transactions worth approximately $3,500 from her bank account before fleeing to India. The family has urged authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and swift justice.

The Indian Embassy in the United States confirmed that it is in contact with Godishala’s family and is extending all possible consular assistance. “The Embassy is also following up on the matter with the local authorities,” it said in a statement.

Authorities have also clarified that an image circulating on social media in connection with the case does not depict the accused.