File image of the deceased Nikitha Godishala
Credit: Instagram
The father of Nikitha Godishala, who was found dead in the US, has called for tough punishment for the person responsible for his daughter's death.
Anand Godisala denied that Arjun Sharma, suspect in the alleged murder of Nikitha (27), was her ex-boyfriend and said he was her roommate earlier along with two others.
He urged the Centre and the Telangana government to help repatriate her mortal remains.
Expressing sadness over the demise of Nikitha Godishala, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy said he spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to bring back the body at the earliest.
Nikitha Godishala of Ellicott City in America was reported missing on January 2. Howard County police had said that she was found dead with stab wounds in the Columbia, Maryland apartment of her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, 26.
The US police have obtained a warrant for Sharma’s arrest on first and second-degree murder charges, alleging that he killed her and fled to India.
Anand said Nikitha last called on December 31 night and wished him on the occasion of new year.
"He (Arjun Sharma) is a former roommate and not her ex-boyfriend. He reportedly made the complaint (to the police in US) and fled to India. He should be caught and given tough punishment," an inconsolable Anand told reporters.
Citing media reports, Anand said his daughter came to know that Sharma had taken loans from many people and was planning to leave for India.
Asked if he spoke to Nikitha's friends about any financial disputes as the reason for the alleged killing, he said he is not aware of it.
Nikitha, elder daughter of Anand, has been living in the US for the last four years and is now working there.
She last visited India three years ago, he added.
Nikitha's uncle Santosh Kumar told PTI that she was working as a Data and Strategy Analyst at Vheda Health after completing her MS in the US.
She won the Best Employee award last month, he said.
The parents came to know of Nikitha's death from her cousin, who also lives in the US, Santosh said.
Natives of Hyderabad, Anand's family currently reside at Tarnaka in the city.
In a post on X, Union Minister Kishan Reddy said, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief. I have spoken to the Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, who is currently on official tour in Germany, and am personally in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure that the mortal remains are repatriated to India at the earliest." Nikitha and her family belong to Kishan Reddy's Lok Sabha constituency of Secunderabad.
Kishan Reddy said his office and the BJP in Hyderabad is also coordinating with the family of Nikita Godishala to provide every possible assistance during the difficult time.
The Indian Embassy in Washington DC on Monday said in a post on X that it is in contact with Godishala’s family and is extending all possible consular assistance.
With PTI inputs