Incident Overview
A horrific dowry-related murder case has come to light in Greater Noida’s Sirsa village, where Nikki Bhati, a woman in her mid-30s, was brutally assaulted and set on fire by her husband, Vipin Bhati, along with his family members. The attack, driven by demands for a dowry amounting to Rs 36 lakh, was witnessed by Nikki’s six-year-old son and her elder sister, Kanchan.
Details of the Attack
According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, Vipin and his family repeatedly tortured Nikki over dowry demands despite receiving lavish gifts, including a Scorpio SUV and a Royal Enfield bike, from her family at the time of marriage in 2016. On the night of August 21, Vipin allegedly struck Nikki hard on her neck causing her to faint before pouring an inflammable liquid on her and setting her ablaze. Kanchan recorded parts of the assault on her phone. Nikki’s son recalled the trauma vividly, describing how they poured a substance on his mother, slapped her, and then lit her on fire.
Medical Emergency and Death
Nikki was initially taken to Fortis Hospital in Noida and then referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi due to the severity of her burns. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries before the police could reach the hospital. The victim’s family performed her last rites shortly thereafter.
Police Action and Arrests
Vipin Bhati was arrested based on an FIR lodged by Kanchan. During police custody, Vipin attempted to escape near Sirsa Chauraha by trying to snatch a pistol from the officers. Police opened fire to stop him, injuring him in the leg, and he was immediately hospitalized under police protection.
Following Vipin’s arrest, Nikki’s mother-in-law, Sans Dayawati, was also apprehended based on intelligence inputs. Other family members, including Vipin’s brother Rohit and father Satveer, remain at large and are being pursued by police teams.
Allegations and Statements
Kanchan alleged continuous torture and harassment for dowry demands that escalated to the fatal attack. She also accused the family of wanting to eliminate Nikki so that Vipin could remarry. Nikki’s father condemned the actions of the accused and described the dowry greed that persisted despite multiple gifts.
Vipin, speaking from the hospital, denied involvement, claiming Nikki’s death was accidental, and showed no remorse. However, the ongoing investigation and the multiple eyewitness testimonies tell a different story.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
The case is registered under sections related to murder, voluntarily causing hurt, and criminal conspiracy. Police have assured a thorough investigation and are actively pursuing other accused family members.
This brutal case sheds light on the persistent evil of dowry-related violence in India despite existing legal safeguards. Authorities urge strict enforcement of laws and social awareness to prevent such tragedies.
