In a deeply disturbing incident from Greater Noida, 28-year-old Nikki Bhati was allegedly tortured and set on fire by her husband, Vipin Bhati, and in-laws after persistent dowry demands, before succumbing to her injuries this week.

Married since December 2016, Nikki and her sister Kanchan both entered the same household after their marriages to brothers. Despite substantial dowry gifts including a Scorpio, a Royal Enfield motorcycle, cash, and gold the in-laws reportedly continued to harass the sisters, now demanding an additional ₹36 lakh. Kanchan shared that abuse had become routine, with monetary exploitation and physical assaults unfolding over nearly nine years.

On August 21, Nikki confronted Vipin about wanting to reopen her beauty parlour and posting reels on Instagram a clash that allegedly escalated to violence and arson. In one horrifying video, Vipin is seen assaulting her, while another shows her engulfed in flames and staggering down a staircase.

Police have arrested three family members so far Vipin (wounded during a police encounter), his mother, and brother-in-law while others remain on the run. Nikki’s grieving father, Bhikhari Singh Payla, has demanded severe consequences, called the accused “killers” and urged for an encounter and the razing of their home.

This tragedy underscores the brutal reality of dowry-related abuse in India’s heartland. As the investigation proceeds, public outrage continues to mount, shining a light on the need for stronger protections and justice for victims like Nikki.