The family of Nikitha Godishala, a 27-year-old Indian woman found dead in the United States, has alleged that she was killed over a financial dispute and not because of a failed romantic relationship, as earlier reports suggested.
Nikitha, an Indian-origin data analyst based in Maryland, was found with stab wounds in an apartment in Columbia, Howard County, on New Yearās Eve. US authorities believe the killing was premeditated. A warrant has been issued against Arjun Sharma, 26, on charges of first- and second-degree murder. Police allege that Sharma stabbed Nikitha, reported her missing and then fled the country.
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Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, Nikithaās father Anand Godishala said the accused was not her former boyfriend, but a former roommate.
āShe was working there... He was her ex-roommate; it is not right that he was her ex-boyfriend,ā Anand Godishala told reporters, according to ANI.
Family alleges financial motive
According to Nikithaās father, the motive behind the killing was financial. He alleged that Sharma had borrowed money from his daughter and failed to return it before leaving for India.
āFour people used to stay in an apartment. Her ex-roommate used to take a lot of money from my daughter. When she asked him to return the money before he flew to India, he killed her and ran away,ā Anand Godishala said.
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He added that his daughter had learned that Sharma had taken loans from several people and was planning to leave the US. Media reports have claimed that Sharma borrowed around USD 4,500 from Nikitha in the days leading up to her death. While USD 3,500 was reportedly returned, a further request for USD 1,000 was denied.
Nikithaās cousin, Saraswati Godishala, has filed a complaint with the Indian Embassy in the US detailing the alleged financial transactions, according to reports.
Nikitha was reported missing on January 2, days after she last spoke to her father on December 31 to wish him a happy New Year. Howard County Police later confirmed that her body was found inside Sharmaās apartment.
US authorities have said the killing appeared to be planned. Sharma will face first- and second-degree murder charges once extradited to the United States.
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Reports of Sharmaās arrest in Tamil Nadu earlier this week were later denied by sources, who said the detained individual was not the accused and was subsequently released.
Nikithaās family has urged Indian authorities to assist in bringing her body back home and ensuring strict punishment for the accused.
