August 29, Friday: In the year 2025, the people of India saw too many dowry harassment cases, which led to the deaths of innocent wives. These deaths are shocking and shattered the dreams of many wives. Across India, the rising dowry cases are concerning, and it raise debate over the government’s failure. Here is a list of heinous crimes caused by dowry harassment.
1. Nikki Bhati, Greater Noida
In August 2025, 26-year-old Nikki Bhati was set ablaze by her husband, Vipin Bhati, in Sirsa village, Greater Noida. Nikki’s husband, Vipin Bhati, and his parents, Daya and Satyavir, harassed her continuously for 6 years. The Bhati family claimed 36 lakhs and a luxury car. The Bhati family charged her as she wanted to reopen her beauty parlour . Hospital reports stated that she died because of a gas cylinder explosion. After this incident, four members of the Bhati family, including Nikki’s sister Kanchan’s husband. Kanchan also got married in the same house.
2. Shilpa, Bengaluru
After the heinous murder in Noida, one more dowry murder case was found in South India. A 27-year-old woman was found dead in South Bengaluru earlier this week. Police started their investigation and allegedly found that the lady was a victim of domestic abuse and dowry harassment. Shilpa Panchangamath, the victim, was married to Praveen, a former Oracle engineer who quit his job to operate a panipuri business. The couple has a one-and-a-half-year-old boy and have been married for nearly three years. The Victim’s family alleged that Shilpa was pregnant at the time of her death. "They have been married for three years. She was also pregnant, and they have a son. After meeting his family and resolving their disagreement, we sent her back four months ago. He could have just sent her back if he didn't want to be with her. We learned that she had committed suicide after he left the house yesterday, claiming to be traveling out of town. She couldn't even get to the fan because there was no stool underneath it. Shilpa's uncle claimed, "It appears that he killed her and fled."
3. Sonkali, Pilbhit
Sonkali, a 26-year-old woman, was burned alive in April 2025 after her husband and in-laws did not receive dowry. Sonkali’s brother filed a complaint against them, and an arrest was made based on the allegations. Reportedly, another incident happened in Pilbhit in January.
4. Sangeeta, Aligarh
A 32-year-old woman named Sangeeta and a mother of two young boys, who had been married for 10 years, was brutally tortured with a hot Iron, which was pressed into her body, also in her genitals. Her in-laws reportedly demanded a bullet motorcycle and a buffalo, threatening to kill her if their demands were not met. Sangeeta's family accused her husband and in-laws of torturing her to death due to dowry demands. However, police initially treated the case as murder rather than dowry death. The difference is crucial since it impacts the inquiry and potential charges.
