The probe into the death of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati, who was allegedly set on fire by her in-laws, continues to reveal new details. According to reports, Nikki told doctors in her final statement that she had suffered burn injuries while…
In Greater Noida, 28-year-old Nikki Bhati, who was allegedly set on fire by her in-laws last week, gave a different version of events before she died. According to police, Nikki told doctors in her final statement that she was burned in a cooking accident when a gas cylinder exploded at her home. Police officers believe Nikki may have said this to protect her sister, who is married into the same family. Her statement was written down in the hospital’s medical report, which recorded that she had suffered “burn injuries at home due to a cooking cylinder blast.” She was brought to the hospital in critical condition around 6 pm by a relative of her husband, Vipin Bhati.
Initially, Nikki’s family refused to allow a post-mortem, but they later agreed after police officials explained its importance. Sadly, Nikki died while being taken to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi before her statement could be officially recorded by a magistrate, which is the only way such declarations can hold up in court.
However, the police investigation later ruled out any cylinder blast. Instead, officers found an empty thinner bottle and a lighter at the house, which they now consider crucial evidence in the case.
Kasna SHO Dharmendra Shukla said that Nikki may have hidden the truth on purpose. “It is believed she didn’t want anyone to go to jail, which is why she didn’t blame anyone in her final words,” he explained.
Investigators, who didn’t want to be named, also said Nikki might have been trying to protect her younger sister, Kanchan, who is married into the same family. They believe Nikki feared that speaking out could affect her sister’s safety and future.
The police investigation has ruled out the possibility of a cylinder blast. Photos of Nikki’s kitchen showed that it was completely intact. Instead, officers found an empty thinner bottle and a lighter, which have been sent for forensic testing. An autopsy later confirmed that Nikki died due to severe burn injuries.
Despite the seriousness of the case, Nikki’s family did not go to the police until the morning of August 22, after her last rites were completed. Before that, the matter was discussed in a village panchayat between both families. It was only in the afternoon nearly 20 hours after Nikki’s death that the case was officially reported to the police.
Based on their investigation, police filed a case under Section 103 (murder), Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against four members of the Bhati family.
Nikki’s husband, Vipin Bhati, was taken into custody. On August 23, during evidence recovery, police shot him in the leg after he allegedly tried to escape.
Since then, Vipin’s mother Daya, father Satveer, and brother Rohit (who is married to Nikki’s sister Kanchan) have also been arrested.
