Nikki Bhati Case: Family Demands Justice

The family of Nikki Bhati, a 26-year-old woman allegedly set ablaze over dowry demands in Greater Noida’s Sirsa village, met Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh on August 29, 2025, to demand swift justice. Nikki, who succumbed to 70% burn injuries on August 21 while being transferred from Fortis Hospital to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, was reportedly tortured by her husband, Vipin Bhati, and his family since her 2016 marriage. The family alleges relentless dowry harassment, including demands for ₹36 lakh, a Scorpio SUV, and a luxury car, despite earlier gifts of a motorcycle and jewelry.

Commissioner Singh assured Nikki’s father, Bhikari Singh Payla, and brother, Atul Payla, that a chargesheet would be filed soon and the case would be expedited through a fast-track court. “No one will be spared,” Bhikari quoted Singh as saying, expressing cautious optimism after the meeting. The family’s demand for a fast-track trial was echoed during a visit by Dr. Meenakshi Bharala of the State Women’s Commission on August 27, who met them at their Roopbas village home in Dadri and condemned the “barbaric” killing.

An FIR filed on August 22 at Kasna police station charges Vipin Bhati, his parents Satveer and Daya, and brother Rohit (married to Nikki’s sister Kanchan) with murder (Section 103(1)), voluntarily causing hurt (Section 115(2)), and criminal conspiracy (Section 61(2)) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. All four have been arrested, with Vipin shot in the leg on August 24 after allegedly attempting to escape custody by snatching a policeman’s pistol. Disturbing videos, including one showing Nikki engulfed in flames and another of Vipin assaulting her, have fueled public outrage, with her six-year-old son’s testimony alleging Vipin poured a flammable liquid, slapped her, and set her ablaze with a lighter.

Also Read: Fresh Twist in Nikki Bhati Dowry Death Case

The investigation has taken complex turns. A hospital memo from Fortis claims Nikki’s injuries resulted from a gas cylinder blast, a narrative supported by Vipin’s cousin Devendra, who said she was burned in a kitchen accident. However, police recovered a thinner bottle from the scene, and Additional DCP Sudhir Kumar emphasized that CCTV footage, showing Vipin outside a shop at 5:45 PM on August 21, is under scrutiny to verify the timeline. Conflicting claims have emerged, with Vipin denying responsibility, stating, “She died on her own,” and alleging marital disputes were normal. Nikki’s sister-in-law, Meenakshi, married to Nikki’s brother Rohit, has accused Nikki’s family of dowry harassment against her, adding complexity to the case.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has demanded a time-bound probe and protection for Nikki’s family and witnesses. Protests outside Kasna police station, led by Bhikari, who called Vipin a “butcher,” have intensified calls for harsh punishment, including demands to raze the accused’s home. The case, highlighting India’s persistent dowry violence epidemic despite its 1961 ban, is under intense scrutiny as police compile evidence for the chargesheet, with hopes a fast-track court will deliver justice.

Also Read: Noida Dowry Murder or Suicide: New Twists in Nikki Bhati Case