- By Nidhi Giri
- Thu, 28 Aug 2025 08:03 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Noida Dowry Case: In a new twist to the Greater Noida dowry death case, the police have revealed that Nikki Bhati told doctors in her dying declaration that she suffered “burn injuries while cooking”. They further added that the victim might have been forced to give such a statement to shield her younger sister, Kanchan who was married into the same family.
On August 21, 26-year-old Nikki Bhati was allegedly set on fire by her husband, Vipin Bhati, and her in-laws in UP’s Greater Noida after an altercation over Rs 36 lakh dowry. Nikki died on the way to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.
As per investigators, Nikki’s family only agreed for a post-mortem after local police officials counselled them.
As per a Hindustan Times report, Nikki Bhati’s statement was registered in the hospital’s medico-legal certificate (MLC No. 703), which recorded: “burn at home, due to blast of cooking cylinder.”
Will The Statement Be Admissible In Court?
The statement made by the victim is only admissible in court if it is recorded before a magistrate. In the Nikki Bhati case, the police could not do so.
Meanwhile, as per the police investigation, any type of cylinder blast was ruled out as officials seized an empty thinner bottle and lighter from Nikki’s house. Both objects have been sent for forensic analysis. The officials also took pictures of Nikki’s kitchen and confirmed it to be absolutely intact.
In another similar case from UP’s Amroha district, a woman was set ablaze allegedly by her husband and in-laws for dowry. The woman identified as 32-year-old Parul, is currently battling for life and is being treated in Delhi. Parul and Devendra were married 13 years ago. They have twins, a boy and a girl.
The police have registered a case after Parul's brother lodged a complaint against the husband, who is a serving police constable and five other members of the family, as per an NDTV report.
The six accused have been identified as - Devendra (husband), his mother, and four male relatives - Sonu, Gajesh, Jitendra and Santosh. Police confirmed that a case has been registered under serious charges of domestic violence and attempted murder.