New Delhi: The mortal remains of Nikitha Godishala, the 27-year-old Indian woman allegedly murdered in the United States, are expected to arrive in India by Wednesday or Thursday, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy confirmed on Wednesday.

Sharing the update on X (formerly Twitter), the Union Coal Minister said all formalities required for repatriation had been completed. He posted a letter from the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., confirming the completion of procedures related to the case. Reddy had earlier reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the request of Nikitha’s family to facilitate the swift repatriation of her remains.

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The Tragic Incident

Nikitha had been reported missing on December 31, 2025, from Columbia, Maryland, where she resided. Her body was later found with stab wounds in the apartment of Arjun Sharma, who was her former roommate, according to her family. Contrary to early reports of a romantic link, her father Anand Godishala clarified to The Indian Express that Sharma and Nikitha were not romantically involved but had a past roommate relationship and were embroiled in financial disputes.

Howard County police confirmed that Sharma reported Nikitha missing on December 31, the same day he departed for India. A search warrant executed on January 3 at his apartment led to the discovery of her body.

Nikitha’s father told news agency ANI that Sharma had borrowed money from Nikitha, and when she demanded repayment before his departure to India, he allegedly killed her.

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Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Sharma was apprehended in Tamil Nadu on Monday following an international manhunt. Howard County police stated that detectives have obtained a warrant for his arrest on charges of both first- and second-degree murder, suspecting him of responsibility for Nikitha’s death.

The family has called for strict punishment and urged Indian and US authorities to expedite the repatriation process.