BREAKING: Maryland homicide turns international as police say suspect fled to India in the death of 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala
I have confirmed that Howard County Police located 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala deceased after she was reported missing. Investigators say they found her in her ex-boyfriend’s apartment. An arrest warrant has been issued for him. Detectives say he left the United States and is now believed to be in India. This case now crosses borders, and so will the law. ⚖️
What police have confirmed
Police officials tell me they are treating this as a homicide investigation. The arrest warrant names the ex-boyfriend as the suspect connected to her death. Detectives say they have coordinated with federal partners. Requests for international assistance are in motion. The focus is to locate the suspect and return him to face charges in Maryland.
The apartment where Godishala was found is now a sealed crime scene. Forensic work is underway. Prosecutors are preparing affidavits and charging documents. Those records will anchor any extradition request. Digital evidence, travel records, and witness statements are being secured.
Extradition is a legal process, not a diplomatic favor. It requires sworn evidence and court review in the country where the suspect is found.
The cross‑border chase, explained
When a suspect travels overseas, police do not stop at county lines. They work with the Justice Department, the State Department, and Interpol. In cases like this, a Red Notice may be requested. That alerts foreign authorities to locate and provisionally arrest a named suspect.
The United States and India have an extradition treaty. That treaty allows the U.S. to ask India to arrest and extradite a suspect for serious crimes, including homicide. It is not automatic. Indian courts review the request. Judges look for probable cause, dual criminality, and whether the alleged acts would be crimes in both countries. The suspect has a right to counsel and to challenge the request. Appeals can add time.
Prosecutors must build a clean, complete record. They submit certified warrants, sworn statements, and key evidence. They may also seek help under a mutual legal assistance channel to collect records in India. All of this takes precision. Small errors can cause delays.
Domestic violence, immigrant families, and the law
This case also highlights a hard truth. Many homicides of women follow patterns of intimate partner violence. That risk does not spare immigrant communities. Abusers sometimes use fear of police or immigration status to silence victims. The law rejects that tactic.
If you are facing threats or violence, you have rights, no matter your status:
- You can call 911 and ask for an interpreter.
- You can seek a protective order from a local court.
- You can talk to advocates who keep your information private.
- You may qualify for immigration protections for crime victims.
Save messages, call logs, and photos. Tell a trusted person. You can ask a judge for a protective order the same day in many courts.
Courts can issue no-contact orders. Police can remove firearms when the law allows. Shelters can help with housing and safety planning. Federal law provides paths like VAWA relief and U visas for certain crime victims who help law enforcement. Your safety comes first.
What happens next in this case
Here is the likely legal path, based on standard practice:
- The warrant is entered into national systems, and an Interpol request may follow.
- The U.S. sends an extradition packet to India through diplomatic channels.
- Indian authorities move to locate and arrest the suspect, then bring him to court.
- Indian courts review the evidence and decide on extradition, with possible appeals.
- If returned, the suspect appears in Maryland court to face the charges.
Timelines vary. Extradition can move fast, or it can take many months. Both governments must follow their laws. That is how convictions are upheld and justice lasts.
Do not interfere with the investigation. Do not harass or dox families or witnesses. It can harm the case and is a crime in many places.
The stakes for law, policy, and community
This case tests how well cross-border justice works in real time. It demands close coordination between local police and federal and foreign partners. It also calls on policymakers to invest in language access, victim services, and faster digital evidence sharing across borders. These are not abstract needs. They save lives and strengthen prosecutions.
For Nikitha Godishala’s loved ones, the path is painful. The law must now do its work, step by careful step. Justice across borders is slow by design, but it is possible. The goal is simple and firm. Bring the suspect back. Try the case in open court. Protect the rights of the accused and the rights of the victim. That is how a community honors a life and upholds the rule of law. 🕯️
