The life lost to dowry abuse: A Greater Noida tragedy

Dubai: Despite laws banning dowry, millions of women in India remain vulnerable to abuse, as the tragic death of Nikki Bhati in Greater Noida shows.

Nikki, 28, was allegedly set on fire by her husband Vipin Bhati and mother-in-law Daya Bhati over a dowry dispute of Rs3.6 million, money her father had already paid.

Her father, Bhikari Singh Payla, told NDTV that he had followed clan traditions when marrying off Nikki and her sister Kanchan on December 10, 2016, providing gifts including a Scorpio SUV, cash, nearly 500 grams of gold, and later a motorcycle.

“In our clan, marriages happen through [dowry] mediators. And I had married off my daughter well,” Payla said, highlighting how deeply entrenched social norms can outweigh the law.

According to NDTV, Vipin and Rohit Bhati, two unemployed brothers who lived off their father’s grocery shop, received these lavish gifts but continued to demand more.

When Nikki and Kanchan opened a parlour and boutique business to become financially independent, the brothers allegedly began taking money from their earnings. Frequent fights reportedly followed, culminating in Nikki’s murder on Thursday.

The family recounted the nine years of harassment Nikki and her sister Kanchan (29) endured — including physical assault, repeated demands for money, and pressure for luxury cars.

Nikki’s uncle said: “We gave whatever we could — car, clothes, ornaments. When a child was born, a motorcycle was demanded and we gave it. They understood that they can fleece us. Vipin was addicted to alcohol and frequently got into brawls. He wanted Nikki out of the way, and that’s why he did this.”

Kanchan told reporters that Vipin and Rohit often stayed out late, ignored their wives’ calls, and created scenes when confronted. Both sisters’ nights were spent in fear, crying after repeated physical abuse. Nikki’s father, who owned a Mercedes, said Vipin had demanded the luxury car for over a year, saying: “Either give the Mercedes or Rs 60 lakh [Rs6 million].”

Earlier this year, Nikki, Kanchan, and their children left the in-laws’ home after assaults, but family pressure and assurances from the Bhatis led them to return after Holi. Nikki’s brother said:

“We gave them an opportunity, but we could not imagine they had no such cruelty within them. Both brothers treated their wives in a similar manner. Whatever their mother told them, they did.”

Kanchan, still in shock, has been hospitalized after fainting several times, traumatized by witnessing her younger sister’s death.

According to the FIR filed on Kanchan’s complaint, Nikki was assaulted by Vipin and Daya on Thursday evening. Kanchan intervened but was also thrashed.

Vipin allegedly poured a flammable substance on Nikki and set her on fire. Shocking visuals recorded by Kanchan show Vipin assaulting Nikki, and another clip captures her stumbling down a staircase while ablaze. She was rushed to a local hospital and later referred to Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, where she succumbed to her injuries.

“’My daughter kept reassuring me that good days will come, but they never did,’ the inconsolable mother said.

She demanded strict action against the entire Bhati family.

Nikki’s elder sister, Kanchan, recorded a video of the assault and accused Vipin Bhati and his family members of murdering her sister over dowry. Shocking videos and testimonies of Nikki’s son and sister later surfaced on social media, showing Vipin and another woman brutally attacking her and dragging her by the hair, The Times of India said.

Another clip captured Nikki, badly burnt, stumbling down a staircase before collapsing.”

Nikki and Vipin have a six-year-old son, who witnessed the torture. He told reporters:

“They first put something on Mumma. Then they slapped her, before setting her on fire with a lighter.”

The Uttar Pradesh police confirmed that all four accused — Vipin, Rohit, Daya, and Satyavir Bhati — have been arrested. Vipin was shot in the leg during arrest and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Nikki’s father appealed to authorities, demanding the death penalty:

“Their dowry demands have been met now that my daughter has died. I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure they are hanged.”