Nikitha Godishala murder: US set to issue 'Red Notice' for accused ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma who fled to India

Howard County police are searching for 26-year-old Arjun Sharma after he allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend and fled US for India. Police say Sharma is wanted on first and second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala of Ellicott City.

According to police, Sharma reported on New Year’s Eve that he last saw Godishala at his apartment in Columbia and on January 2, he filed a missing persons complaint. Authorities later discovered he had left the country on a flight to India. A search was conducted in his apartment which revealed Godishala’s body. It had multiple stab wounds and other physical trauma.

Detectives believe she was killed shortly after 7 pm on December 31, according to CBS News.


"There was obviously some premeditation to be able to do this and then to flee the country, so that's what we have right now as far as charges," Howard County police spokesman Seth Hoffman told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren.

Police are unsure whether the murder weapon has been recovered. Hoffman added, "We are unaware of any previous calls for service or incidents involving the two of them. We do believe it wasn't uncommon that they would still meet each other and have communication after their relationship ended, but we don't have a motive right now as to why he would kill her."

Godishala’s friends said they got concerned when she stopped contacting them on New Year’s Eve. Some posted on social media asking about her whereabouts.

Howard County Police are working with federal and international authorities to capture Sharma. "The US Attorney's office works with Interpol, which is an international organization, and they will eventually issue what is known as a 'red notice'—basically an international arrest warrant," Hoffman said.

They explained the 'red-notice' that would help in Sharma's arrest: "From there, that goes out to all the countries that work with Interpol, which is close to 200 countries including India, so that will give Indian authorities information. They will begin to track him and hopefully arrest him. From there, it could take quite a bit of time to process and hopefully get him extradited."

India’s embassy released a statement on X acknowledging the crime: "The Embassy is in contact with the family of Ms. Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance. The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities."