Greater Noida dowry murder: CCTV, hospital memo, and family statements deepen mystery
Noida : Fresh evidence has emerged in the suspected dowry murder of 26-year-old Nikki Bhati, who was allegedly set ablaze in Greater Noida’s Sirsa village on August 21. The new evidence includes CCTV footage, a hospital memo citing a gas cylinder blast, and individual statements, deepening the investigation.
A CCTV clip outside a shop near the Bhati family home shows a man identified as Vipin Bhati standing behind a parked car, running suddenly, and then hurrying back. Moments later, neighbours and an elderly man rush toward the house, and women appear visibly panicked. Police stated that the footage is under verification.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida) Sudheer Kumar said, “It is part of our investigation. Whatever facts come out, action will be taken accordingly. The investigation will cover all possible angles.”
According to police, Nikki was beaten, doused in a flammable liquid, and set on fire at her home. She later succumbed to her injuries at a Delhi hospital. Disturbing videos of her final moments, reportedly filmed by her elder sister Kanchan, have circulated online.
Vipin Bhati, his parents Satveer and Daya, and brother Rohit have been arrested. Vipin was shot in the leg while allegedly trying to escape police custody. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a time-bound probe, strict action against the accused, and security for Nikki’s family and witnesses.
Her family claims she was tortured for dowry since her 2016 marriage, even after giving a Scorpio SUV, a motorcycle, and jewellery. Later, she was allegedly pressed for ₹36 lakh and a luxury car.
The hospital memo states in Hindi: “Ghar par gas cylinder fatne se mareej kaafi gambheer roop se jal gaya hai” (The patient suffered severe burns due to a gas cylinder explosion at home). Nikki was brought in by a relative, Devendra, and was in critical condition.
However, Kanchan alleged in the FIR that Nikki was deliberately set ablaze. She said she and Nikki were married without dowry and that Vipin and his family attacked her sister.
Kanchan stated: “My mother-in-law Daya gave Vipin a flammable item, then Vipin poured it on my sister Nikki. When I objected, they beat me, and my husband Rohit, mother-in-law Daya, and father-in-law Satveer were present.”
She added that the incident occurred around 5:30 pm on August 21. Nikki was first taken to Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida, and later referred to Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
Devendra, Vipin’s cousin, confirmed that Vipin and his father were at a shop around 5:45 pm, and CCTV footage corroborates Vipin’s presence there.
Meanwhile, Nikki’s father Bhikari Singh demanded the harshest punishment: “Their house should be bulldozed and he should be hanged.” He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for justice and denied claims linking Nikki’s death to social media activity.
The FIR, registered at Kasna police station on August 22, cites sections 103(1) (murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 61(2) (attempt to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. All leads, including hospital memos, CCTV footage, and statements, are being thoroughly examined.
