Mortal remains of Indian-origin woman allegedly killed by boyfriend to be brought to India

The mortal remains of Nikitha Godishala, who was allegedly killed in the US, are expected to be brought to India on Jan 7 or 8, following the completion of all legal and administrative formalities, said Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy on Wednesday. 

In a post on X, Reddy said that the necessary procedures had been finalised. “Sharing an update concerning the unfortunate demise of Ms Nikitha Godishala in Maryland, USA: all required procedures have now been completed, and the mortal remains are expected to be flown to India either today or tomorrow,” he wrote.

Sharing an update concerning the unfortunate demise of Ms. Nikitha Godishala in Maryland, USA: All required procedures have now been completed, and the mortal remains are expected to be flown to India either today or tomorrow.@MEAIndia https://t.co/T7QFW8So0P pic.twitter.com/DK2FaQWLse

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) January 6, 2026

The minister also shared a letter from the Indian Embassy in Washington confirming that it had no objection to the repatriation of Godishala’s remains to India. Reddy said he had approached External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to facilitate the process after receiving a request from the victim’s family.

Godishala, 27, a resident of Ellicott City in the US, was reported missing on January 2. According to Howard County police, she was later found dead with stab wounds in an apartment in Columbia, Maryland, belonging to her former roommate, Arjun Sharma, 26.

Police believe she was killed shortly after 7 pm on December 31, 2025, the New Year’s Eve. Investigators said the inquiry remains ongoing and that no motive has been identified so far, a media release said.

US authorities have obtained an arrest warrant against Sharma on charges of first- and second-degree murder, alleging that he killed Nikitha and subsequently fled to India.

Family members of the deceased have urged US authorities to issue an international arrest warrant against the suspect to ensure his swift arrest.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)