Greater Noida’s suspected dowry death case of Nikki Bhati has reached a fresh twist with Nikki Bhati’s sister-in-law, Meenakshi, alleging that Nikki’s family members used to physically assault and humiliate her over dowry demands.
Meenakshi said that after getting married to Nikki’s elder brother Rohit in 2016, she continuously faced humiliation since day one. She further stated that Rohit, her mother-in-law, and both Nikki and Kanchan would physically assault her, and she was “not allowed to keep a phone” or speak to anyone.
Allegation against Nikki’s elder brother
According to PTI, Meenakshi said that she could “not live peacefully for a single day” at her in-laws’ house. She added, “I stayed at my in-laws’ place for just six months and then returned to my father’s home. Since then, I have been living here.”
Alleging her in-laws on dowry, Meenakshi told PTI, “They used to beat me and demand cash from me. My father gave them a Ciaz car and gold for a good wedding, but they did not accept it. They demanded a new Scorpio within a week and additional cash.” She added that, “Both the sisters used to taunt me, saying Rohit did not like me and they would get him remarried,” she said.
In 2020 a case was registered against Rohit and his family after an alleged assault. According to the reports the village panchayat suggested returning Rs 35 lakh which Meenakshi’s family claimed was the expense of the wedding, to facilitate her remarriage or accepting her back as a daughter-in-law.
Meenakshi’s mother supported her claims, saying, “She has been living here since shortly after her marriage. They did not like her and used to beat her. Rohit and his family tortured her.” She added they “remained quiet because of society” but accepted their daughter back, hoping she would eventually be welcomed again into her marital home.
However, the intervention of Nikki’s father-in-law, Satveer Singh, reportedly prevented the conflict from escalating at the time. Singh is said to have assured Meenakshi’s family that he would use his personal rapport with Nikki’s father, Bhikhari Singh Payla, to resolve the dispute.
Nikki Bhati’s death case
Twenty-six-year-old Nikki Bhati tragically died from severe burns on August 21 at her home in Sirsa village. Police arrested her husband, Vipin Bhati, his parents, Satveer and Daya, and brother Rohit, on suspicion of dowry death. Vipin was later shot in the leg by police while allegedly trying to escape custody.
The police investigation is ongoing, with a new focus on evidence including an inflammable substance found in Nikki’s room and multiple video clips. One video reportedly shows Nikki’s mother-in-law, Daya, trying to separate Nikki and her husband during a fight. The complaint filed by Nikki’s sister, Kanchan, claims Nikki’s in-laws had been demanding an additional Rs 36 lakh and a luxury car despite receiving a Scorpio SUV and other valuables during the wedding in 2016. Authorities are now re-examining Kanchan’s statement and the video evidence to determine the exact sequence of events.
The FIR in Nikki’s case has been registered under sections 103(1) (murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 61(2) (attempt to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
(With PTI Inputs)