Greater Noida dowry death: Recovery of inflammable substance, fresh videos shift focus in Nikki Bhati’s death
PTC Web Desk: The investigation into the suspected dowry death of 26-year-old Nikki Bhati has taken a dramatic turn after the police recovered an inflammable substance from her room and obtained fresh video evidence linked to the incident. The development has prompted investigators to revisit the timeline of events on August 21, the day Nikki sustained fatal burn injuries at her home in Sirsa village, Greater Noida.
A senior police official on Wednesday confirmed that the inflammable solution found in Nikki’s room has been sent for forensic analysis. Authorities are also examining several short video clips that have surfaced in the public domain, which could potentially reshape the narrative of the case.
Among the newly emerged clips is one in which Nikki’s mother-in-law appears to separate her from her husband Vipin Bhati during a heated argument. Another video, reportedly filmed by Nikki’s elder sister Kanchan, captures a voice in the background saying, “Yeh kya kar liya” (What have you done). Investigators believe these recordings could be crucial in piecing together the sequence of events leading to Nikki’s death.
The police are now set to re-examine Kanchan’s statement. She not only recorded the alleged incident but also lodged the FIR against Nikki’s in-laws and claimed she tried to intervene during the altercation. Kanchan, married to Vipin’s younger brother Rohit Bhati, has been a key witness in the case. So far, several statements have been recorded from members of both families, the police said.
Earlier, the police arrested Vipin, Rohit, their father Satyavir, and mother Daya on charges of murder, dowry harassment, and assault. The arrests were made after Nikki’s father, Bhikari Singh, demanded strict action against his daughter’s in-laws.
The FIR filed at the Kasna police station on August 22 charged the Bhati family under Sections 103(1) (murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 61(2) (attempt to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Nikki’s sister Kanchan alleged in her complaint that despite the marriage being solemnised in 2016 “without dowry,” her in-laws continued to harass her for additional money and a luxury car. She claimed the family had already given a Scorpio SUV, a motorcycle, and jewellery at the time of marriage, but were later pressured for Rs 36 lakh in cash.
Contradictory accounts
On August 21, Nikki was rushed to a private hospital in Greater Noida with severe burns. A memo issued by the hospital stated that she had suffered injuries in a “gas cylinder explosion.” She was later referred to Delhi but succumbed to her injuries en route.
However, Kanchan’s FIR directly contradicted this version, alleging that Nikki was first beaten and then deliberately set ablaze by her husband and in-laws.
Adding to the complexity, Vipin’s cousin Devendra, who helped take Nikki to the hospital, claimed she repeatedly asked for water and complained of suffocation. He also backed the account that Vipin was seen at a local shop minutes before the fire broke out.
The police are also revisiting an unrelated case involving Vipin from October last year. An FIR filed in the Jarcha area accused him and his aide Tushar of assaulting a 21-year-old woman named Preeti, forcibly taking her mobile phone, and issuing death threats. Additional DCP (Greater Noida) Sudheer Kumar said the probe into that case is ongoing, and appropriate action will be taken.
Vipin’s troubles deepened when he attempted to flee police custody on August 25. He was shot in the leg by the police during the escape attempt.
Nikki’s father, Bhikari Singh, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to intervene in the matter and ensure the “harshest punishment” for Vipin and his family. He dismissed claims circulating on social media that Nikki’s online activities and reels caused tensions at home, stating such allegations were “baseless.”
He further said that he had given Nikki and Kanchan Rs 1.5 lakh to start a beauty parlour to help them become financially independent, reiterating that the real issue was dowry-related harassment.
- With inputs from agencies
