Nikitha, who lived in Ellicott City, Maryland, was reported missing on January 2, 2026. Her body was later discovered with multiple stab wounds inside an apartment in Columbia, Maryland, where Sharma had previously lived with her. US investigators subsequently obtained arrest warrants against Sharma on first and second degree murder charges. According to US police, Sharma was described as Nikitha's former boyfriend. However, Nikitha's father, Anand Godishala, has reportedly said that the two were roommates and believed that a financial dispute may have been connected to the killing.

The exact circumstances and motive remain part of the ongoing investigation. The accused was eventually located in India during a separate investigation. Hyderabad Police were investigating a cheating complaint filed by Nikitha's father in April, alleging that Sharma had taken money from her and failed to return it. During that investigation, police obtained clues about Sharma's whereabouts and sent a team to Agra. Officers reportedly traced him to a flat in the city, where he was taken into custody. Authorities then discovered that he was already wanted in the US murder case and that a non-bailable warrant had been issued against him.

Sharma was subsequently produced before a Delhi court and remanded to custody in connection with the US case. US authorities have been informed of his arrest, and extradition proceedings are expected to determine his transfer to the United States to face the murder charges. The case has drawn attention because of its international nature, involving investigators in the US as well as police and central authorities in India. For Nikitha's family, the arrest marks an important development after months of uncertainty. However, the allegations against Sharma have yet to be tested in a US court. Investigators will now focus on establishing the circumstances surrounding Nikitha's death, the alleged motive and the evidence connecting the accused to the crime.