Noida Police arrested Rohit Bhati (28), the brother-in-law of Nikki Bhati, a 26-year-old woman allegedly killed over dowry demands in Greater Noida, marking the third arrest in the case. The apprehension took place near Sirsa Toll Chauraha, following a tip-off and manual intelligence, according to a Kasna Police statement.
Rohit had been absconding since the brutal incident on August 21, which triggered widespread outrage. A First Information Report (FIR) filed on August 22 at Kasna Police Station charged him, along with Nikki’s husband Vipin Bhati, mother-in-law Daya Bhati (55), and father-in-law Satyavir Bhati, under sections 103(1) (murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Satyavir remains at large.
Nikki was allegedly assaulted and set ablaze by her husband and in-laws at their home in Sirsa village. Disturbing videos, recorded by Nikki’s elder sister Kanchan—who is married to Rohit and resides in the same household—circulated widely online. One clip shows Nikki being dragged by her hair, while another captures her stumbling down stairs engulfed in flames before collapsing. Kanchan, also a victim of dowry-related abuse, alleged that Nikki was doused with a flammable liquid and ignited in front of her six-year-old son, who recounted, “They poured something on Mumma, slapped her, then set her on fire with a lighter.”
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Vipin was arrested on Saturday, August 23, but attempted to flee custody the next day while being taken to recover evidence. Police claim he snatched a sub-inspector’s pistol and fired, prompting retaliatory gunfire that left him with a leg injury. He is now in 14-day judicial custody. Daya was arrested hours later on Sunday.
The case has fueled public anger, with Nikki’s family alleging relentless dowry harassment since her 2016 marriage to Vipin. Despite providing a Scorpio SUV, a Royal Enfield motorcycle, cash, and gold, the Bhati family demanded Rs 36 lakh and a luxury car. Kanchan reported similar torture, stating, “They told me, ‘We got dowry for one, what about the other?’”
Nikki succumbed to 70% burn injuries en route to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital after initial treatment at Fortis Hospital. Her father, Bhikari Singh Payla, demanded severe punishment, saying, “They are killers; they should be shot, their home razed.” The National Commission for Women has called for swift action and a detailed investigation.
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