"What will people say?" This one infamous line in Hindi - Log kya kahenge - has ruined more lives than you can imagine. Of course, it goes without saying that in India, it is the females who are almost always at its receiving end, either directly or indirectly. From impacting the choice of a life partner, to girls making unconventional career choices (or simply choosing to work or stay at home), the clothes one wears, the things one speaks and even the food someone picks to eat (Yes, even non-vegetarian food can get one labelled not sanskari (cultured) enough). This one line is enough to make people do things they don't want to do, even the most uncomfortable acts they might not agree to personally, but do them anyway because, well, if not, then "log kya kahenge?" You would think that the educated urban families don't give two hoots about what people say, but you could not be more wrong. And it is not just the older generation, but even young boys and girls. Dowry is one such tradition that, despite being illegal, plays an important role in marriages even today.&nbsp;The Nikki Bhati case in India has led people to ask - Why do people marry their daughters off in families that ask for dowry? &nbsp;The 28-year-old got married to Vipin Bhati nine years ago. Her sister, Kanchan, married Vipin's brother, Rohit. The family gave a Scorpio SUV, cash and gold to their sons-in-law. She recently died after allegedly being burned following an argument over an additional demand of Rs 3.6 million (Rs 36 lakh). When Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, was asked by a journalist why did he marry his daughter into a family that asked for dowry, he said, "In our clan, marriages happen through (dowry) mediators." The idea is so well-ingrained that perhaps this is why Payla himself is being accused of harassment by his daughter-in-law. Minakshi married Nikki's brother in 2016, and brought with her a sedan car. She claims the Paylas sent her back to her home, demanding a new model of Scorpio and cash. The family has refuted her allegations, saying she is welcome to return and that no one has ever hit Minakshi.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/noida-dowry-death-nikki-bhati-s-family-faces-fresh-allegations-of-dowry-torture-by-estranged-daughter-in-law-1756294551067">‘My son never raised his hand’: Nikki Bhati’s father on allegations of dowry torture by estranged daughter-in-law</a>&nbsp;<h2>Young professionals are perfectly OK with taking and giving dowry</h2>But, who are these people asking why agree to a match with dowry? Aren't they guilty of being complicit in something similar? The truth is, those demanding dowry and giving dowry walk amongst us. We encounter them in our everyday lives, oblivious about how they think. As Payla said, dowry is how marriages happen. I have come across girls whose parents were unable to secure a match because the boy's family asked for "too much" dowry. Well, they were prepared to give "some", but not "too much." They are boys and girls working in reputable companies in good positions. Yet, the boys were completely OK with their parents asking for lakhs in cash and a good car. A girl's parents found a match after years of effort. Weeks later, when preparations were on, the demand for dowry increased. The girl's family did not agree to it, so the boy's family called it off. The same thing happened to a friend, except in her case, her family ended things before it was too late.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/noida-dowry-death-conflicting-claims-emerge-as-cctv-video-shows-husband-vipin-outside-home-when-nikki-bhati-was-set-on-fire-1756181091487">Noida dowry death: Conflicting claims emerge as CCTV video shows husband Vipin outside&nbsp;home when Nikki Bhati was set on fire</a><h2>Dowry - a matter of pride, honour and reputation</h2>If someone marries their daughter without giving dowry, and if the boy's family agrees to a match without taking dowry, the inevitable wonderment arises among people - "Something must be wrong, why did no give and take happen?" The families risk being looked down upon by the society if dowry is not a part of the equation. But, shouldn't it be the other way around? The simple answer is no. In fact, the more a girl's family gives, the more honourable they come across as. The girl's family also sees it as a ticket to ensuring a good and easy-going life filled with love and respect from her in-laws. I even know of girls who forced their parents to give a huge dowry, just to show off.&nbsp;For the boy's family, being able to secure a huge dowry is a sure-shot way to skyrocket their reputation in society. People going 'ooh' and "aah" at seeing all the cash, jewellery, and the model of the car is music to their ears. Their chest swells with pride when they hear their relatives saying such good things about the things the new bride got. I have seen it happen, and have wondered if this is the main reason they get their sons married.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/noida-dowry-murder-she-died-herself-victim-s-husband-denies-killing-wife-1756134870175/embed<h2>Can the practice of dowry ever end?</h2>Everyone knows dowry is illegal, yet no one speaks up when it is about their family. Can this practice ever end? I know of families who started saving up for a dowry from the moment they had a daughter. They are providing them with good education, a life full of opportunities and the chance to become whatever they want to. Yet, they know that the day they decide to get them married, they will have to show how much they can give. You'd think that things would change with younger generations, but traditions never do. And, of course, there is the question of "log kya kahenge?"

Dowry in India is an age-old tradition. Hundreds of years ago, girls were married, and they were given things that would make them comfortable in their new home. Slowly, it became an evil practice, one that started taking innocent lives. Who is to blame?

"What will people say?" This one infamous line in Hindi - Log kya kahenge - has ruined more lives than you can imagine. Of course, it goes without saying that in India, it is the females who are almost always at its receiving end, either directly or indirectly. From impacting the choice of a life partner, to girls making unconventional career choices (or simply choosing to work or stay at home), the clothes one wears, the things one speaks and even the food someone picks to eat (Yes, even non-vegetarian food can get one labelled not sanskari (cultured) enough). This one line is enough to make people do things they don't want to do, even the most uncomfortable acts they might not agree to personally, but do them anyway because, well, if not, then "log kya kahenge?" You would think that the educated urban families don't give two hoots about what people say, but you could not be more wrong. And it is not just the older generation, but even young boys and girls. Dowry is one such tradition that, despite being illegal, plays an important role in marriages even today. The Nikki Bhati case in India has led people to ask - Why do people marry their daughters off in families that ask for dowry? The 28-year-old got married to Vipin Bhati nine years ago. Her sister, Kanchan, married Vipin's brother, Rohit. The family gave a Scorpio SUV, cash and gold to their sons-in-law. She recently died after allegedly being burned following an argument over an additional demand of Rs 3.6 million (Rs 36 lakh). When Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, was asked by a journalist why did he marry his daughter into a family that asked for dowry, he said, "In our clan, marriages happen through (dowry) mediators." The idea is so well-ingrained that perhaps this is why Payla himself is being accused of harassment by his daughter-in-law. Minakshi married Nikki's brother in 2016, and brought with her a sedan car. She claims the Paylas sent her back to her home, demanding a new model of Scorpio and cash. The family has refuted her allegations, saying she is welcome to return and that no one has ever hit Minakshi. Also Read: ‘My son never raised his hand’: Nikki Bhati’s father on allegations of dowry torture by estranged daughter-in-law Young professionals are perfectly OK with taking and giving dowry But, who are these people asking why agree to a match with dowry? Aren't they guilty of being complicit in something similar? The truth is, those demanding dowry and giving dowry walk amongst us. We encounter them in our everyday lives, oblivious about how they think. As Payla said, dowry is how marriages happen. I have come across girls whose parents were unable to secure a match because the boy's family asked for "too much" dowry. Well, they were prepared to give "some", but not "too much." They are boys and girls working in reputable companies in good positions. Yet, the boys were completely OK with their parents asking for lakhs in cash and a good car. A girl's parents found a match after years of effort. Weeks later, when preparations were on, the demand for dowry increased. The girl's family did not agree to it, so the boy's family called it off. The same thing happened to a friend, except in her case, her family ended things before it was too late. Also Read: Noida dowry death: Conflicting claims emerge as CCTV video shows husband Vipin outside home when Nikki Bhati was set on fire Dowry - a matter of pride, honour and reputation If someone marries their daughter without giving dowry, and if the boy's family agrees to a match without taking dowry, the inevitable wonderment arises among people - "Something must be wrong, why did no give and take happen?" The families risk being looked down upon by the society if dowry is not a part of the equation. But, shouldn't it be the other way around? The simple answer is no. In fact, the more a girl's family gives, the more honourable they come across as. The girl's family also sees it as a ticket to ensuring a good and easy-going life filled with love and respect from her in-laws. I even know of girls who forced their parents to give a huge dowry, just to show off. For the boy's family, being able to secure a huge dowry is a sure-shot way to skyrocket their reputation in society. People going 'ooh' and "aah" at seeing all the cash, jewellery, and the model of the car is music to their ears. Their chest swells with pride when they hear their relatives saying such good things about the things the new bride got. I have seen it happen, and have wondered if this is the main reason they get their sons married. https://www.wionews.com/videos/noida-dowry-murder-she-died-herself-victim-s-husband-denies-killing-wife-1756134870175/embed Can the practice of dowry ever end? Everyone knows dowry is illegal, yet no one speaks up when it is about their family. Can this practice ever end? I know of families who started saving up for a dowry from the moment they had a daughter. They are providing them with good education, a life full of opportunities and the chance to become whatever they want to. Yet, they know that the day they decide to get them married, they will have to show how much they can give. You'd think that things would change with younger generations, but traditions never do. And, of course, there is the question of "log kya kahenge?"

Dowry in India is an age-old tradition. Hundreds of years ago, girls were married, and they were given things that would make them comfortable in their new home. Slowly, it became an evil practice, one that started taking innocent lives. Who is to blame?

The scourge of dowry in India — How 'log kya kahenge?' (What will people say) ensures the practice never truly ends

In a dramatic turn in the Noida dowry death case, the family of Nikki Bhati is facing allegations from their estranged daughter-in-law, who has accused them of similar harassment over dowry. This comes after the death of Nikki Bhati, who lost her life in New Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on Aug 21 after severe burn injuries. Her in-laws have been accused of setting her on fire over a dowry demand.Meenakshi, the estranged wife of her brother Rohit Payla, has alleged that she faced physical assault over dowry demands from her in-laws, the officials said on Wednesday (Aug 27). Meenakshi, 31, who got married to Rohit in 2016, claimed that her family gave a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz to the Payla family as dowry.In an FIR filed in 2024, Meenakshi claimed that she was beaten up by her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and even Nikki and her sister Kanchan. She also accused Rohit of assaulting her and firing a shot at her brother, according to India Today. She also claimed that she was forced to undergo two abortions.According to News18, a settlement was reached after the filing of the FIR that Rohit’s family will pay Rs 35 lakh to Meenakshi’s family, and in exchange, Meenakshi’s family will withdraw the case. However, the amount was already spent at the time of the wedding, and Rohit’s family did not return the money. Allegedly, the torture continued, after which Meenakshi’s brother went to take her back. When he went there, he was allegedly thrashed and his vehicle was vandalised.<h2>What did Nikki Bhati’s father say?</h2>Responding to the allegations, Nikki Bhati’s father, Bhikhari Singh Payla told NDTV, “That issue is different, this issue is different. Don't connect it with that. See, how many issues come up. That case is in court. The court will do what it wants. Don't connect it with that.”“There will be allegations. I am telling you. I have a bad throat. And this matter is different. That matter is different. If someone's daughter, your daughter, gets burnt and if she is linked to another case, that cannot be,” he added.He further said, “My son never raised his hand on her (daughter-in-law). Does it ever happen that a family comes to drop their daughter (his daughter-in-law) off at home and attack her family? I have all the evidence. Our doors are always open for her (daughter-in-law).”In a recent development, conflicting claims emerged in the case. Kanchan had claimed that Vipin set Nikki on fire with the help of his mother-in-law, Daya. She also said that the seven-year-old was screaming and crying when his mother was set on fire. However, the CCTV video shows the child and the husband outside the house when Nikki was allegedly burnt.Kanchan claimed that Nikki was assaulted in front of her, adding that she was severely burned when she regained consciousness, and the accused in-laws had fled the scene.

Meenakshi, the estranged wife of her brother Rohit Payla, has claimed that she was beaten up by her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and even Nikki and her sister Kanchan over dowry demands.

In a dramatic turn in the Noida dowry death case, the family of Nikki Bhati is facing allegations from their estranged daughter-in-law, who has accused them of similar harassment over dowry. This comes after the death of Nikki Bhati, who lost her life in New Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on Aug 21 after severe burn injuries. Her in-laws have been accused of setting her on fire over a dowry demand. Meenakshi, the estranged wife of her brother Rohit Payla, has alleged that she faced physical assault over dowry demands from her in-laws, the officials said on Wednesday (Aug 27). Meenakshi, 31, who got married to Rohit in 2016, claimed that her family gave a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz to the Payla family as dowry. In an FIR filed in 2024, Meenakshi claimed that she was beaten up by her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and even Nikki and her sister Kanchan. She also accused Rohit of assaulting her and firing a shot at her brother, according to India Today. She also claimed that she was forced to undergo two abortions. According to News18, a settlement was reached after the filing of the FIR that Rohit’s family will pay Rs 35 lakh to Meenakshi’s family, and in exchange, Meenakshi’s family will withdraw the case. However, the amount was already spent at the time of the wedding, and Rohit’s family did not return the money. Allegedly, the torture continued, after which Meenakshi’s brother went to take her back. When he went there, he was allegedly thrashed and his vehicle was vandalised. What did Nikki Bhati’s father say? Responding to the allegations, Nikki Bhati’s father, Bhikhari Singh Payla told NDTV, “That issue is different, this issue is different. Don't connect it with that. See, how many issues come up. That case is in court. The court will do what it wants. Don't connect it with that.” “There will be allegations. I am telling you. I have a bad throat. And this matter is different. That matter is different. If someone's daughter, your daughter, gets burnt and if she is linked to another case, that cannot be,” he added. He further said, “My son never raised his hand on her (daughter-in-law). Does it ever happen that a family comes to drop their daughter (his daughter-in-law) off at home and attack her family? I have all the evidence. Our doors are always open for her (daughter-in-law).” In a recent development, conflicting claims emerged in the case. Kanchan had claimed that Vipin set Nikki on fire with the help of his mother-in-law, Daya. She also said that the seven-year-old was screaming and crying when his mother was set on fire. However, the CCTV video shows the child and the husband outside the house when Nikki was allegedly burnt. Kanchan claimed that Nikki was assaulted in front of her, adding that she was severely burned when she regained consciousness, and the accused in-laws had fled the scene.

Meenakshi, the estranged wife of her brother Rohit Payla, has claimed that she was beaten up by her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and even Nikki and her sister Kanchan over dowry demands.

‘My son never raised his hand’: Nikki Bhati’s father on allegations of dowry torture by estranged daughter-in-law

The case of dowry death, Greater Noida resident Nikki Bhati has taken a new turn as investigations continue. Nikki Bhati lost her life in New Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Aug 21 after severe burn injuries. It was alleged that she set herself on fire over a dowry demand by her in-laws. However, Nikki's family accused her husband, Vipin Bhati and three others of murdering her. Nikki's sister, Kanchan, who is married in the same family, filed a case, and all four members of the Bhati family - Vipin, Nikki's father-in-law, mother-in-law and brother-in-law have been arrested. However, a CCTV video that has now surfaced points to a counter-narrative.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-s-the-mastermind-behind-nikki-s-death-here-s-what-victim-s-father-revealed-in-noida-dowry-case-1756134114775">Who's the 'mastermind' behind Nikki's death? Here's what victim's father revealed in Noida dowry case</a><h2>CCTV video shows Vipin Bhati outside the house</h2>The CCTV video that has now surfaced shows a man in a check shirt and blue trousers - believed to be Vipin. He is seen standing near a white car on the main road at 5:42 pm, along with a boy. He is seen chatting with the boy. At 5:47 pm, a commotion is heard when Vipin suddenly runs towards the house. Moments later, he reappears and is seen getting inside the white car. Vipin's cousin Devendra claimed that the commotion occurred when Nikki allegedly suffered burn injuries due to a cylinder blast in the kitchen. He said that Vipin rushed to take Nikki to the hospital.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-regular-beatings-doused-in-flammable-liquid-5-shocking-details-of-nikki-dowry-murder-case-1756123926185">'Regular beatings, doused in flammable liquid': 5 shocking details of Nikki dowry murder case</a><h2>What has Nikki's sister Kanchan claimed?</h2>The CCTV footage and Vipin's cousin Devendra's statement contradict the version of the incidents claimed by Nikki's sister Kanchan. Kanchan had claimed that Vipin set Nikki on fire with the help of his mother-in-law, Daya. She also said that the seven-year-old was screaming and crying when his mother was set on fire. However, the CCTV video shows the child and the husband outside the house when Nikki was allegedly burnt.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Greater Noida: Accused of murdering his wife Nikki over dowry demands, Vipin Bhati says, &quot;... I have no remorse. I haven&#39;t killed her. She died on her own. Husband and wife often have fights, it is very common...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/YrPFaYARuY">pic.twitter.com/YrPFaYARuY</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1959530369809621272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/noida-dowry-case-4th-arrest-made-deceased-nikki-father-in-law-detained-1756113268356/embed">https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/noida-dowry-case-4th-arrest-made-deceased-nikki-father-in-law-detained-1756113268356/embed</a><h2>What police revealed in the Nikki Bhati dowry case?</h2>Police investigating Nikki's alleged murder revealed that her husband, Vipin, was unhappy with her Instagram activity and the beauty parlour she ran with her sister Kanchan. Despite the parlour doing well financially, Vipin reportedly demanded all the earnings be given to his mother and assaulted Nikki when she refused. A major fight over reopening the parlour allegedly led to a violent assault where Nikki was hit on the head and acid was thrown on her. Nikki’s brother, Atul, confirmed the family was aware of the abuse but tried to resolve the issue. Kanchan shared in an Instagram reel that Nikki endured the abuse for the sake of her seven-year-old son, hoping things would improve. She expressed regret that more decisive action wasn't taken in February when Nikki temporarily left Vipin and returned to her parents’ home. A panchayat was held, where Vipin apologized and promised not to harm her again, leading to Nikki’s return.&nbsp;Read More |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/noida-dowry-death-nikki-bhati-allegedly-killed-over-disagreements-over-instagram-reels-reopening-of-parlour-new-details-emerge-1756091851519"> Nikki Bhati allegedly killed over disagreements over Instagram reels? New details emerge</a>&nbsp;

Nikki Bhati died of burn injuries on Aug 21, allegedly over dowry. While her family accuses husband Vipin and in-laws of murder, new CCTV footage shows Vipin outside the house during the incident, contradicting sister Kanchan’s claim that he set Nikki on fire.

The case of dowry death, Greater Noida resident Nikki Bhati has taken a new turn as investigations continue. Nikki Bhati lost her life in New Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Aug 21 after severe burn injuries. It was alleged that she set herself on fire over a dowry demand by her in-laws. However, Nikki's family accused her husband, Vipin Bhati and three others of murdering her. Nikki's sister, Kanchan, who is married in the same family, filed a case, and all four members of the Bhati family - Vipin, Nikki's father-in-law, mother-in-law and brother-in-law have been arrested. However, a CCTV video that has now surfaced points to a counter-narrative. Read More | Who's the 'mastermind' behind Nikki's death? Here's what victim's father revealed in Noida dowry case CCTV video shows Vipin Bhati outside the house The CCTV video that has now surfaced shows a man in a check shirt and blue trousers - believed to be Vipin. He is seen standing near a white car on the main road at 5:42 pm, along with a boy. He is seen chatting with the boy. At 5:47 pm, a commotion is heard when Vipin suddenly runs towards the house. Moments later, he reappears and is seen getting inside the white car. Vipin's cousin Devendra claimed that the commotion occurred when Nikki allegedly suffered burn injuries due to a cylinder blast in the kitchen. He said that Vipin rushed to take Nikki to the hospital. Read More | 'Regular beatings, doused in flammable liquid': 5 shocking details of Nikki dowry murder case What has Nikki's sister Kanchan claimed? The CCTV footage and Vipin's cousin Devendra's statement contradict the version of the incidents claimed by Nikki's sister Kanchan. Kanchan had claimed that Vipin set Nikki on fire with the help of his mother-in-law, Daya. She also said that the seven-year-old was screaming and crying when his mother was set on fire. However, the CCTV video shows the child and the husband outside the house when Nikki was allegedly burnt.

Nikki Bhati died of burn injuries on Aug 21, allegedly over dowry. While her family accuses husband Vipin and in-laws of murder, new CCTV footage shows Vipin outside the house during the incident, contradicting sister Kanchan’s claim that he set Nikki on fire.

Noida dowry death: Conflicting claims emerge as CCTV video shows husband Vipin outside home when Nikki Bhati was set on fire

Days after Nikki Bhati's horrific murder in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida, the victim's father has broken the silence. The incident has sparked criticism and concerns in India as the 28-year-old Nikki was set on fire by her in-laws over dowry demands.&nbsp;Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, while speaking to Indian news agency ANI, said that due to "social norms" and "community guidelines", he agreed to dowry, which is why his daughter had to go back to that household, where they were beating them.&nbsp;The victim's father also blamed Nikki's mother-in-law, calling her "the mastermind of the entire incident". Nikki's mother-in-law was arrested after the incident.&nbsp;“It is the duty of the mother, as well as the father, to ensure the children stay together. But she, rather than making them stay together, upset their relationship," he told ANI.&nbsp;Nikki's family said that they had also given "gifts" such as an SUV, a motorcycle and gold to her husband, Vipin, at the time of their marriage in 2016.&nbsp;He added that despite giving all this, Vipin and the in-laws wanted more and kept torturing her for that. The victim's father said that recently, her demand to open a beauty parlour and post videos on social media had led to torture.&nbsp;Despite a video going viral showing Vipin setting his wife on fire, his family has been claiming that Nikki "died on her own".&nbsp;He has now demanded instant justice for his daughter, asking for “Baba ka bulldozer” from UP CM Yogi Adityanath to demolish the accused family's home and urged PM Narendra Modi and the courts for the death penalty.<h2>Nikki dowry death case</h2>Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, set her ablaze allegedly over an altercation over her desire to post reels on social media, and also because she wanted to open a beauty parlour she used to run, the police said.&nbsp;Following this, four people, including Vipin, Nikita's mother-in-law, father-in-law, and brother-in-law, have been arrested in connection with the case.&nbsp;Nikki tried to insist that her in-laws let her open a parlour, but Vipin got furious and told her that it is not allowed. The police said that he doused her with flammable liquid and set her on fire inside their home. &nbsp;Later, she died in a Delhi hospital.

The victim's father also blamed Nikki's mother-in-law, calling her "the mastermind of the entire incident". Nikki's mother-in-law was arrested after the incident.

Days after Nikki Bhati's horrific murder in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida, the victim's father has broken the silence. The incident has sparked criticism and concerns in India as the 28-year-old Nikki was set on fire by her in-laws over dowry demands. Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, while speaking to Indian news agency ANI, said that due to "social norms" and "community guidelines", he agreed to dowry, which is why his daughter had to go back to that household, where they were beating them. The victim's father also blamed Nikki's mother-in-law, calling her "the mastermind of the entire incident". Nikki's mother-in-law was arrested after the incident. “It is the duty of the mother, as well as the father, to ensure the children stay together. But she, rather than making them stay together, upset their relationship," he told ANI. Nikki's family said that they had also given "gifts" such as an SUV, a motorcycle and gold to her husband, Vipin, at the time of their marriage in 2016. He added that despite giving all this, Vipin and the in-laws wanted more and kept torturing her for that. The victim's father said that recently, her demand to open a beauty parlour and post videos on social media had led to torture. Despite a video going viral showing Vipin setting his wife on fire, his family has been claiming that Nikki "died on her own". He has now demanded instant justice for his daughter, asking for “Baba ka bulldozer” from UP CM Yogi Adityanath to demolish the accused family's home and urged PM Narendra Modi and the courts for the death penalty. Nikki dowry death case Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, set her ablaze allegedly over an altercation over her desire to post reels on social media, and also because she wanted to open a beauty parlour she used to run, the police said. Following this, four people, including Vipin, Nikita's mother-in-law, father-in-law, and brother-in-law, have been arrested in connection with the case. Nikki tried to insist that her in-laws let her open a parlour, but Vipin got furious and told her that it is not allowed. The police said that he doused her with flammable liquid and set her on fire inside their home. Later, she died in a Delhi hospital.

The victim's father also blamed Nikki's mother-in-law, calling her "the mastermind of the entire incident". Nikki's mother-in-law was arrested after the incident.

Who's the 'mastermind' behind Nikki's death? Here's what victim's father revealed in Noida dowry case

Nikki dowry murder: The shocking details have emerged from the dowry death case of Nikki Bhati, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida, who was killed by her in-laws earlier this month. This has led to widespread attention and criticism all across the nation as the woman's husband set her on fire.&nbsp;Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, set her ablaze allegedly over an altercation over her desire to post reels on social media, and also because she wanted to open a beauty parlour she used to run, the police said.&nbsp;Following this, four people, including Vipin, Nikita's mother-in-law, father-in-law, and brother-in-law, have been arrested in connection with the case.<h2>5 shocking facts about the murder case</h2><h3>Abused for years</h3> Nikki and her sister Kanchan were both married in the same family in 2016. Both the sisters endured physical abuse, regular beatings, dowry demands and sabotage all these years. However, Nikki came back to her home multiple times after being beaten, but her family convinced her to return each time, according to reports.<h3>Doused her in flammable liquid, set her on fire</h3>Nikki tried to insist that her in-laws let her open a parlour, but Vipin got furious and told her that it is not allowed. The police said that he doused her with flammable liquid and set her on fire inside their home. &nbsp;Later, she died in a Delhi hospital.&nbsp;"Vipin told her that in their family, posting reels on Instagram and running a parlour were not allowed. The issue turned ugly, and he started assaulting her,” Kasna station house officer Dharmendra Shukla said.<h3>Murder recorded on video</h3>Apparently, Nikki's murder was recorded in the video, after which the clips were shared on social media, showing Vipin pouring liquid on Nikki as she sat helplessly on the floor. Another video showed him assaulting Nikki, and later, Nikki was engulfed in flames.&nbsp;The family claimed that Nikki's sister, who was also present during the incident, recorded the videos intentionally.&nbsp;<h3>Nikki's family stayed away from speaking up</h3>The victim's family did not speak up about the incident, but later her brother Vicky said that they had kept quiet for years to avoid being shamed socially, but now they want the whole Bhati family in jail.<h3>Final trigger</h3>On August 21, Nikki told her husband, Vipin, that she wanted to reopen her beauty parlour with her sister. This comes after the dowry dispute the couple was involved in. They used to fight frequently as Vipin always objected to letting her work and make videos on Instagram.&nbsp;

Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, set her ablaze allegedly over an altercation over her desire to post reels on social media, and also because she wanted to open a beauty parlour she used to run, the police said.

Nikki dowry murder: The shocking details have emerged from the dowry death case of Nikki Bhati, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida, who was killed by her in-laws earlier this month. This has led to widespread attention and criticism all across the nation as the woman's husband set her on fire. Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, set her ablaze allegedly over an altercation over her desire to post reels on social media, and also because she wanted to open a beauty parlour she used to run, the police said. Following this, four people, including Vipin, Nikita's mother-in-law, father-in-law, and brother-in-law, have been arrested in connection with the case. 5 shocking facts about the murder case Abused for years Nikki and her sister Kanchan were both married in the same family in 2016. Both the sisters endured physical abuse, regular beatings, dowry demands and sabotage all these years. However, Nikki came back to her home multiple times after being beaten, but her family convinced her to return each time, according to reports. Doused her in flammable liquid, set her on fire Nikki tried to insist that her in-laws let her open a parlour, but Vipin got furious and told her that it is not allowed. The police said that he doused her with flammable liquid and set her on fire inside their home. Later, she died in a Delhi hospital. "Vipin told her that in their family, posting reels on Instagram and running a parlour were not allowed. The issue turned ugly, and he started assaulting her,” Kasna station house officer Dharmendra Shukla said. Murder recorded on video Apparently, Nikki's murder was recorded in the video, after which the clips were shared on social media, showing Vipin pouring liquid on Nikki as she sat helplessly on the floor. Another video showed him assaulting Nikki, and later, Nikki was engulfed in flames. The family claimed that Nikki's sister, who was also present during the incident, recorded the videos intentionally. Nikki's family stayed away from speaking up The victim's family did not speak up about the incident, but later her brother Vicky said that they had kept quiet for years to avoid being shamed socially, but now they want the whole Bhati family in jail. Final trigger On August 21, Nikki told her husband, Vipin, that she wanted to reopen her beauty parlour with her sister. This comes after the dowry dispute the couple was involved in. They used to fight frequently as Vipin always objected to letting her work and make videos on Instagram.

Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, set her ablaze allegedly over an altercation over her desire to post reels on social media, and also because she wanted to open a beauty parlour she used to run, the police said.

'Regular beatings, doused in flammable liquid': 5 shocking details of Nikki dowry murder case

The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested the fourth person in the dowry murder case of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati. On Monday (Aug 25), Nikki's father-in-law Satyavir was arrested hours after the arrest of her brother-in-law, Rohit Bhati. Her husband, Vipin Bhati, and mother-in-law, Daya, were arrested earlier. With this, all four named in the case have been arrested, and the probe continues. Nikki died of burn injuries at Delhi's Safdarjung hospital after she allegedly set herself on fire. However, Nikki's family has accused Vipin Bhati and his family of murdering her and has demanded a death sentence for them. Shocking details of the assault have emerged as the investigation continues in the case. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh, demanding a detailed action report within three days.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Greater Noida dowry murder case | Deceased Nikki&#39;s father-in-law has been arrested by Noida Police. This is the fourth arrest in the case so far. Nikki&#39;s brother-in-law was arrested earlier today. Her mother-in-law was arrested yesterday. The husband, Vipin Bhati,… <a href="https://t.co/8ezdJp5ud1">pic.twitter.com/8ezdJp5ud1</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1959847634488774863?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>New details emerge in the case</h2>Police investigating the alleged murder of Nikki have revealed that her husband, Vipin, was allegedly unhappy with her posting reels on Instagram and running a parlour. She, along with her sister Kanchan, ran a parlour and reportedly earned good money. As per reports, Vipin repeatedly asked her to give all the money to his mother, and if she refused, he tortured her. According to police, Vipin and Nikki had a huge fight over the reopening of the parlour, and when Nikki refused to listen to Vipin, he started assaulting her. The cops also revealed that Nikki was allegedly hit on the head and acid was thrown on her. Nikki's brother, Atul, said that the family was aware of the torture and assault on Nikki, but they attempted to sort the matter.&nbsp;Read More |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/noida-dowry-death-nikki-bhati-allegedly-killed-over-disagreements-over-instagram-reels-reopening-of-parlour-new-details-emerge-1756091851519"> Nikki Bhati allegedly killed over disagreements over Instagram reels? New details emerge</a>&nbsp;In an Instagram reel, Kanchan has now said Nikki tolerated a lot due to social pressures. "She has a seven-year-old son. So she was compromising a lot, hoping that today or tomorrow, everything would be fine. We didn't know this would happen," she said, thanking those who are supporting her and her family after the tragedy. Kanchan expressed regret that timely action wasn't taken on February 11-12, when Nikki left home with her seven-year-old son and went to her parents' home in Dadri, suggesting that doing so could have prevented the tragic outcome. She added that many decisions were made keeping “social traditions” in mind. As per reports, when Nikki left home in February, a panchayat meeting was called, where Vipin apologised and promised that he would never hit her again, after which Nikki returned.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/womens-day-feels-hollow-when-safety-is-still-a-privilege-rape-case-in-india-dowry-deaths-8834967">Women’s Day feels hollow when safety is still a privilege</a><h2>What is Nikki Bhati's dowry death case?</h2>28-year-old Nikki Bhati was rushed to the hospital with burn injuries, but lost her life during treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital of Delhi on Aug 21. It was initially claimed that she died by suicide by setting herself on fire. However, later, it was alleged that her in-laws and husband burnt her alive over a Rs 36-lakh dowry demand. &nbsp;Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, said that he wished the accused to be shot and their homes to be razed. Notably, Nikki's sister Kanchan is also married in the same family. Multiple reports have claimed that Nikki was attacked by her husband, dragged by the hair and set on fire in front of her son and her sister. A case has been registered against four family members, namely, Vipin (husband), her father-in-law, Daya (her mother-in-law), and her sister’s husband.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-conditioning-missing-from-venue-bride-calls-off-wedding-says-life-will-be-hell-1749635694774">Air conditioning missing from venue, bride calls off wedding, says 'life will be hell'</a>

In the dowry death case of Nikki Bhati, Noida Police arrested her father-in-law, the fourth accused. Nikki's family alleges she was murdered by her in-laws over dowry. Sister Kanchan revealed that she allegedly faced abuse

The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested the fourth person in the dowry murder case of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati. On Monday (Aug 25), Nikki's father-in-law Satyavir was arrested hours after the arrest of her brother-in-law, Rohit Bhati. Her husband, Vipin Bhati, and mother-in-law, Daya, were arrested earlier. With this, all four named in the case have been arrested, and the probe continues. Nikki died of burn injuries at Delhi's Safdarjung hospital after she allegedly set herself on fire. However, Nikki's family has accused Vipin Bhati and his family of murdering her and has demanded a death sentence for them. Shocking details of the assault have emerged as the investigation continues in the case. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh, demanding a detailed action report within three days.

In the dowry death case of Nikki Bhati, Noida Police arrested her father-in-law, the fourth accused. Nikki's family alleges she was murdered by her in-laws over dowry. Sister Kanchan revealed that she allegedly faced abuse

'Lot of decisions made for social traditions': All four accused in Nikki Bhati's dowry murder case arrested; sister makes big revelation

In a fresh development in the dowry and suicide case of Greater Noida resident Nikki Bhati, mother-in-law Daya and her brother-in-law were arrested on Monday (Aug 25). It has also been revealed that Vipin was allegedly unhappy with Nikki posting reels on Instagram and running a parlour. According to police, Vipin and Nikki had a huge fight over the reopening of the parlour. Kasna station house officer Dharmendra Shukla said that Vipin started assaulting her when she tried convincing him about the reopening of her parlour. The cops also revealed that Nikki was allegedly hit on the head and acid was thrown on her. Nikki's sister, Kanchan, who is married in the same household, was also allegedly assaulted.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-conditioning-missing-from-venue-bride-calls-off-wedding-says-life-will-be-hell-1749635694774">Air conditioning missing from venue, bride calls off wedding, says 'life will be hell'</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/meghalaya-murder-case-all-five-accused-including-sonam-sent-to-8-day-police-custody-1749657939122/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/meghalaya-murder-case-all-five-accused-including-sonam-sent-to-8-day-police-custody-1749657939122/embed</a><h2>What is Nikki Bhati's dowry death case?</h2>28-year-old Nikki Bhati allegedly died by suicide by setting herself on fire over a Rs 36-lakh dowry demand by her in-laws in Greater Noida. Bhati was rushed to the hospital with burn injuries, but she lost her life during treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital of Delhi on Aug 21. Nikki's family accused her husband, Vipin Bhati and his mother, Daya, of setting Nikki on fire. Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, said that he wished the accused to be shot and their homes to be razed. Notably, Nikki's sister Kanchan is also married in the same family. Multiple reports have claimed that Nikki was attacked by her husband, dragged by the hair and set on fire in front of her son and her sister. A case has been registered against four family members, namely, Vipin (husband), her father-in-law, Daya (her mother-in-law), and her sister’s husband.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/womens-day-feels-hollow-when-safety-is-still-a-privilege-rape-case-in-india-dowry-deaths-8834967">Women’s Day feels hollow when safety is still a privilege</a>&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/even-20-day-old-daughters-are-being-sold-in-marriage-in-afghanistan-says-unicef-official-429284">Even 20-day-old daughters are being 'sold in marriage' in Afghanistan, says UNICEF official</a>

 Greater Noida resident Nikki Bhati was allegedly assaulted by her in-laws and her husband, Vipin over dowry. She allegedly died after setting herself on fire. However, Nikki's family alleged that she was burnt by Vipin and his family. A new angle of Instagram reel has also emerged

In a fresh development in the dowry and suicide case of Greater Noida resident Nikki Bhati, mother-in-law Daya and her brother-in-law were arrested on Monday (Aug 25). It has also been revealed that Vipin was allegedly unhappy with Nikki posting reels on Instagram and running a parlour. According to police, Vipin and Nikki had a huge fight over the reopening of the parlour. Kasna station house officer Dharmendra Shukla said that Vipin started assaulting her when she tried convincing him about the reopening of her parlour. The cops also revealed that Nikki was allegedly hit on the head and acid was thrown on her. Nikki's sister, Kanchan, who is married in the same household, was also allegedly assaulted. Read More | Air conditioning missing from venue, bride calls off wedding, says 'life will be hell' https://www.wionews.com/videos/meghalaya-murder-case-all-five-accused-including-sonam-sent-to-8-day-police-custody-1749657939122/embed What is Nikki Bhati's dowry death case? 28-year-old Nikki Bhati allegedly died by suicide by setting herself on fire over a Rs 36-lakh dowry demand by her in-laws in Greater Noida. Bhati was rushed to the hospital with burn injuries, but she lost her life during treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital of Delhi on Aug 21. Nikki's family accused her husband, Vipin Bhati and his mother, Daya, of setting Nikki on fire. Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, said that he wished the accused to be shot and their homes to be razed. Notably, Nikki's sister Kanchan is also married in the same family. Multiple reports have claimed that Nikki was attacked by her husband, dragged by the hair and set on fire in front of her son and her sister. A case has been registered against four family members, namely, Vipin (husband), her father-in-law, Daya (her mother-in-law), and her sister’s husband. Read More | Women’s Day feels hollow when safety is still a privilege Read More | Even 20-day-old daughters are being 'sold in marriage' in Afghanistan, says UNICEF official

Greater Noida resident Nikki Bhati was allegedly assaulted by her in-laws and her husband, Vipin over dowry. She allegedly died after setting herself on fire. However, Nikki's family alleged that she was burnt by Vipin and his family. A new angle of Instagram reel has also emerged

Noida dowry death: Nikki Bhati allegedly killed over disagreements over Instagram reels? New details emerge

The husband of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati, who died after she was allegedly set on fire over a Rs 36-lakh dowry demand at her in-laws' home in Greater Noida, was shot on his leg while attempting to escape police custody, police said on Sunday. The accused husband, identified as Vipin Bhati, was apprehended after his wife, Nikki, lost her life during treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital of Delhi on Thursday.&nbsp;Nikki Bhati was rushed to the hospital with serious burn injuries that evening after she was set on fire. In response, her sister Kanchan, who is married to Vipin's brother Rohit, has accused Vipin, along with his mother Daya, of setting Nikki on fire.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Greater Noida, UP | Accused of murdering his wife Nikki over dowry demands, Vipin Bhati brought to the hospital for treatment, after he was shot in the leg during an encounter with the police. <a href="https://t.co/DZMuAenvX5">pic.twitter.com/DZMuAenvX5</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1959531890580349320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In an interview with NDTV, Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, said that he wished the accused to be shot. "They are killers, they should be shot, their home razed. My daughter was bringing up her son by running a parlour. They tortured her. The whole family was involved in the conspiracy, and they killed my daughter," he said, hours before Vipin was shot in his leg.&nbsp;Over the incident, Senior police officer Sudhir Kumar said that they took Vipin to his home today to retrieve the bottle containing the flammable liquid used to burn Nikki. "He snatched a cop's pistol and opened fire. In retaliatory firing, he suffered a bullet injury in his leg," Sudhir Kumar said.&nbsp;While speaking to ANI while he was admitted to the hospital, Vipin said, "I have not done anything. She died on her own." He also said, "Fights between husband and wife happen everywhere. It is not a big deal."<h3>'Such people should be shot or hanged': Nikki's father</h3>After the encounter, Nikki's father reacted, saying, "I am happy. Such people should be shot or hanged. He should have been shot in the chest. Those on the run should be hanged." He requested the Yogi Adityanath government to take action, he said, "They shoot pickpockets in the leg, and they won't kill these murderers? This is a BJP government." He accused his daughter's husband, Vipin, was having affairs with someone else and wanted Nikki out of the way.&nbsp;As per the report, Nikki was attacked by her husband, Vipin and in-laws in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. She was dragged by the hair and set on fire in front of her young son and her sister, who also married into the same family. In response to the incident, police registered a case against four family members: Nikki’s husband, her father-in-law, her mother-in-law, and her sister’s husband.&nbsp;The report also indicated that Nikki's father had recently got a Mercedes that attracted Vipin’s greedy eye. As a result, he began demanding it. The father claimed that despite fulfilling all their demand from Nikki’s in-laws, they still killed his daughter.&nbsp;“First, they demanded a Scorpio in dowry, which was given. Later, they asked for a Bullet motorcycle, and that too was provided. Yet, they kept torturing my daughter," he told India Today TV.

Nikki Bhati was allegedly set on fire over a Rs 36-lakh dowry demand at her in-laws' home in Greater Noida. The accused husband was arrested after his she lost her life during treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital of Delhi.

The husband of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati, who died after she was allegedly set on fire over a Rs 36-lakh dowry demand at her in-laws' home in Greater Noida, was shot on his leg while attempting to escape police custody, police said on Sunday. The accused husband, identified as Vipin Bhati, was apprehended after his wife, Nikki, lost her life during treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital of Delhi on Thursday. Nikki Bhati was rushed to the hospital with serious burn injuries that evening after she was set on fire. In response, her sister Kanchan, who is married to Vipin's brother Rohit, has accused Vipin, along with his mother Daya, of setting Nikki on fire.

Nikki Bhati was allegedly set on fire over a Rs 36-lakh dowry demand at her in-laws' home in Greater Noida. The accused husband was arrested after his she lost her life during treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital of Delhi.

Noida Horror: Woman burnt alive over Rs 36L dowry, accused shot hours after father demanded encounter

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