NOIDA, India — In a shocking and horrifying incident, 26-year-old Nikki Bhati was allegedly tortured and set ablaze by her husband, Vipin Bhati, along with his family members, over ongoing dowry demands. Despite having already received substantial gifts—including a Scorpio SUV, a Royal Enfield motorcycle, cash, and gold—the in-laws reportedly demanded an additional ₹36 lakh. Nikki sustained severe burns in the attack and succumbed to her injuries, leaving her family and community in shock.
The brutality of the attack was witnessed by the couple’s six-year-old son, whose testimony to police revealed the chilling sequence of events. “They first put something on Mumma. Then they slapped her before setting her on fire with a lighter,” he recounted, providing a heartbreaking perspective on the violence that unfolded in front of a child.
Following the incident, police arrested Vipin Bhati, who was later placed in 14 days of judicial custody. His mother, also implicated in the crime, was arrested soon afterward. Other accused—including Vipin’s father and brother—remain absconding, and authorities are actively searching for them.
During an attempt to retrieve evidence, Vipin tried to escape custody, reportedly grabbing a police pistol and opening fire. Officers responded with warning shots, injuring him in the leg during a police encounter. While recovering in the hospital, he displayed a shocking lack of remorse, telling authorities, “I have no remorse. I haven’t killed her. She died on her own. Husband and wife often have fights… it is very common.”
The case has sparked widespread public outrage and ignited discussions about systemic failures in protecting women from domestic violence and dowry-related harassment. Women’s rights organizations have demanded swift justice, while Nikki’s distraught father called for harsh action against the perpetrators, including an encounter and the bulldozing of their home.
This tragic incident has drawn attention to the continuing prevalence of dowry-related abuse in India, despite strict legal prohibitions. It serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stronger enforcement of women’s safety laws and societal efforts to eradicate dowry-driven violence.
Authorities continue to investigate the case and are searching for the remaining absconding family members, vowing to bring all those responsible to justice. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of Nikki Bhati, whose life was cut tragically short in an act of unthinkable cruelty.