Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jan 6: The father of Telugu woman Nikitha Godishala, who was allegedly murdered in the United States, has claimed that his daughter was killed over a monetary dispute and not due to any romantic relationship.

Nikitha Godishala (27) was found dead with stab wounds in Howard County, Columbia, Maryland, on New Year’s Eve. US police suspect Arjun Sharma, 26, and believe that he stabbed her, reported her missing, and later fled to India.

Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, Nikitha’s father Anand Godishala rejected reports describing Sharma as his daughter’s ex-boyfriend. “My daughter went to Columbia four years ago and was working there. He was her ex-roommate, not her boyfriend. Four people were staying in the same apartment,” he said.

According to Anand, the motive behind the killing was financial. He alleged that Sharma had borrowed large sums of money from Nikitha. “When she asked him to return the money before he left for India, he killed her and ran away,” he said, demanding strict punishment for the accused and urging both the state and central governments to ensure the early repatriation of his daughter’s body.

Citing media reports, Anand said Nikitha had learnt that Sharma had taken loans from several people and was planning to leave for India. However, he said he was not aware if his daughter had discussed any such financial dispute with her friends.
Nikitha last spoke to her father on the night of December 31, when she called to wish him a Happy New Year, he added.

Meanwhile, Nikitha’s cousin Saraswati Godishala has reportedly filed a complaint with the Indian Embassy in the US, detailing the money allegedly taken by Sharma in the days leading up to the murder. Media reports claim Sharma borrowed around USD 4,500 from Nikitha, returned USD 3,500, and later sought another USD 1,000, which she refused.

Nikitha, an Indian-origin data analyst based in Maryland, was reported missing on January 2. Howard County police later confirmed that she was found dead in Sharma’s apartment. US authorities have obtained an arrest warrant against Sharma on charges of first- and second-degree murder and have termed the killing as premeditated.

There were reports that Sharma had been detained in Tamil Nadu on Monday. However, sources later clarified that the person detained only resembled the suspect and was subsequently released.