Hyderabad Woman's US Murder Investigation Hits Roadblock as Prime Suspect Evades Capture
More than a month has passed since the tragic alleged murder of 27-year-old Hyderabad woman Nikitha Godishala in the United States, yet investigators remain unable to locate the prime accused, Arjun Sharma. This prolonged delay has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of cross-border coordination between law enforcement agencies, leaving the high-profile case essentially at a standstill with no clear resolution in sight.
Timeline of Events and Investigation Details
Nikitha Godishala, a resident of Tarnaka in Hyderabad, was allegedly killed at Sharma's apartment in Columbia, Maryland. According to official statements from the Howard County Police, Sharma reported Nikitha missing on January 2 and departed the United States on that very same day. Police detectives executed a search warrant for his apartment on January 3, where they discovered Nikitha deceased.
Investigators have determined that the murder likely occurred on December 31, which coincides with the last day Sharma claimed to have seen her alive. The Howard County Police emphasized that their investigation remains active and ongoing, though no specific motive has been established at this time. Authorities have confirmed they are actively working to locate and apprehend Sharma.
Suspect's Escape and Lack of Legal Hurdles
By the time Nikitha's body was recovered from Sharma's residence, he had already fled the country. A police officer at Chennai airport revealed to media sources that Sharma arrived from the United States and cleared immigration without any restrictions or alerts. The officer explained that Sharma departed as a routine passenger after completing standard immigration formalities, as he was not declared a suspect at that point in the investigation.
Since his departure, Sharma has remained absconding. Officials have confirmed that neither Interpol nor the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has approached state police authorities in India to initiate tracing procedures. An official noted that no complaint or criminal case was pending against Sharma in Tamil Nadu, which contributed to the lack of immediate action upon his arrival.
Absence of Formal Complaints in India
Interestingly, no formal case has been registered in Hyderabad either. Officials at the Lalaguda police station stated that Nikitha's family did not file a local complaint regarding the incident. Police authorities approached the family to inquire if they wished to lodge a formal case, but the family reportedly declined to do so.
Family's Social Media Campaign and Political Involvement
In the absence of official leads and formal complaints, Nikitha's family launched a social media campaign urging authorities to intensify efforts to trace Sharma. Despite their persistent appeals, this initiative has so far yielded no significant breakthrough in the case. When contacted by media, the family refrained from making any public comments about the ongoing situation.
Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao confirmed that representations have been made to multiple authorities regarding the case. He stated that they wrote to both the Indian embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs, but clarity about Sharma's current location remains elusive. With no confirmed trail, no active case in India, and limited clarity on international coordination mechanisms, a critical question persists unanswered: Where is Arjun Sharma?
