No Progress in Investigation Into Alleged Murder of Tarnaka Student Nikita Godishala

Six months after the alleged murder of Hyderabad student Nikita Godishala in the United States, her family in Tarnaka continues to wait for answers as the investigation has seen little progress. The prime accused, Arjun Sharma, remains absconding, leaving the family without closure.

Although Godishala's family lodged a complaint at the Lalaguda police station in Hyderabad, local police officials stated they have not yet received any communication from authorities in the United States. Without this official outreach, Hyderabad police have been unable to begin tracing Sharma. The case, which initially sparked global outrage and online campaigns demanding justice, has stalled due to this lack of bilateral communication.

The lack of progress in Godishala's case highlights a broader, troubling trend of Indian student deaths abroad. According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs, 141 Indian students died in the United States between 2021 and 2025. These fatalities were attributed to suicides, accidents, and violent attacks.

The data shows that the death toll peaked in 2024, with 44 student deaths recorded, averaging nearly one every eight days. Even in 2025, despite a dip in the overall number of Indian students travelling to the United States, 30 deaths were recorded.

Many of these cases remain unresolved, leaving families across India searching for answers. The lack of cooperation and communication between US and Indian authorities has stalled investigations, preventing families from obtaining closure.

The situation has caused widespread concern for families of other students from the city who have relocated to the US, such as Mohammed Abdul Arfath. Arfath, a 25-year-old, had left Nacharam for the United States in May 2023 to pursue a Master's degree in IT at Cleveland State University.

For now, Godishala's family in Tarnaka continues to wait for official action, months after the case first shook the local community and raised serious questions about the safety of Indian students abroad.