Greater Noida was shaken after the shocking dowry death of 26-year-old Nikki Bhati, who was allegedly beaten and then set on fire by her husband, Vipin Bhati, and his family. The horrific incident took place on August 21, 2025, at their home in Sirsa village and has triggered widespread outrage across the region.
Initially, the family claimed Nikki Bhati suffered burns due to a cylinder blast, but police investigations revealed otherwise. Police found no traces of a blast at the scene. Instead, they recovered a thinner bottle and a lighter, indicating deliberate foul play. Eyewitness Kanchan, Nikki’s sister, alleged that her brother-in-law and father-in-law helped set Nikki on fire before fleeing. Viral videos recorded by Kanchan further exposed the brutal assault, one showing Nikki engulfed in flames as she collapsed.
Police have since arrested all four accused—husband Vipin, father-in-law Satveer Bhati, mother-in-law Daya, and brother-in-law Rohit. Police reportedly shot Vipin in the leg when he tried to escape from custody.Authorities are also examining hospital CCTV footage to determine who actually brought Nikki to Fortis Hospital, where she later succumbed.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the Noida dowry death case, demanding strict and immediate action.Police registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 103(1) (murder), 115(2) (causing hurt), and 61(2) (attempting to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment).
Nikki Bhati’s death has reignited conversations around the persistent evil of dowry harassment and violence against women in India. Despite strict laws, dowry deaths remain rampant, with countless women losing their lives to cruelty disguised as tradition.
This case is not just a tragedy—it is a reminder that justice must be swift, and society must act firmly to end dowry-related crimes once and for all.