Greater Noida, August 24, 2025 – In a heartbreaking case that highlights the ongoing problem of dowry violence in India, a 26-year-old woman named Nikki Bhati was allegedly beaten and set on fire by her husband and in-laws over unmet dowry demands. Nikki, who had been married for nine years, died from her severe burns on Saturday, leaving behind two young children and a family in deep grief. The incident has sparked outrage across the region, with her father calling for strong action against the accused.
The trouble started years ago, according to Nikki’s family. Her husband, Vipin Bhati, and his relatives reportedly demanded Rs 36 lakh in cash, along with a luxury Mercedes car, as additional dowry. Even though Nikki’s parents had already given a Bullet motorcycle and a Scorpio SUV at the time of the wedding, the demands never stopped. Family members say the harassment turned violent over time, with Nikki facing regular beatings. A disturbing video that surfaced online shows Vipin dragging Nikki by her hair and slapping her repeatedly, which has fueled public anger and calls for justice.
On the day of the attack, things took a deadly turn. Nikki was reportedly assaulted in their home in Greater Noida’s Surajpur area. Her six-year-old son later told police that he saw his father and grandparents slap his mother before setting her on fire. “They slapped her, then they set my mother on fire,” the boy said in a statement that has broken many hearts. Nikki’s elder sister added that she was beaten unconscious during the chaos, unable to help. Despite being rushed to a hospital, Nikki succumbed to her injuries, with burns covering most of her body.
Hours before his arrest, Vipin posted a message on Instagram, trying to paint himself as the victim. “Why did you leave me? The world is calling me a killer,” he wrote, implying that Nikki had taken her own life. But police investigations point to murder, backed by the family’s complaints and the video evidence. Vipin was arrested on Saturday, along with some family members, under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder, dowry harassment, and related charges. The FIR names Vipin, his parents Satyavir and Daya, and brother-in-law Rohit Bhati as accused.
The case took a dramatic twist today when Vipin tried to escape police custody during a routine transfer. According to officials, he snatched a gun from an officer and ran near the Sirsa roundabout. Police chased him and fired in self-defense, hitting him in the leg. He was quickly taken to a hospital for treatment and is now stable but under guard. When asked by reporters at the hospital if he felt any regret, Vipin coldly replied, “I have no remorse. I didn’t kill her; she died on her own. Fights between husband and wife are very common.” His words have only added to the public’s fury.
Nikki’s father, devastated by the loss, has demanded the harshest punishment. “They should be shot in an encounter, and their house should be bulldozed,” he said, echoing frustrations over slow justice in such cases. Activists and women’s rights groups are rallying for a fast-track trial, pointing out that dowry deaths remain a big issue despite laws against them. Police say the investigation is ongoing, with searches for the remaining accused who are still on the run.
Greater Noida authorities have promised a thorough probe, including forensic tests on the crime scene. As the community mourns Nikki, her story serves as a stark reminder of the need to end dowry practices and protect women from domestic abuse. This case comes amid rising concerns over violence against women across the country. For now, Nikki’s family waits for justice, hoping her death brings change for others.
