August 25, Monday: The nation was left in shock after the Greater Noida dowry murder case and two of the main suspects, the victim's brother-in-law and father-in-law, were arrested on Monday after days on the run. According to a statement made by the Kasna Police and reported by PTI, the two men were apprehended near Sirsa Toll Chauraha on a tip-off and manual intelligence inputs.
Father-in-law and brother-in-law arrested after days on the run
The two accused have been named as Satveer Bhati (55) and Rohit Bhati (28). PTI was informed by a police official that the two were arrested separately but within hours of each other. Rohit had gone missing since August 21, the date when 26-year-old Nikki Bhati was allegedly doused with petrol at her in-laws' residence in Sirsa village, Greater Noida.
Nikki’s husband Vipin Bhati was arrested on Saturday but sustained a gunshot injury during what police described as an attempted escape. His mother, Daya Bhati, was taken into custody the following day. With Monday’s arrests, all four accused named in the FIR are now behind bars, police confirmed. Speaking from his hospital bed, Vipin Bhati revealed to ANI, in a widely circulated NDTV video, that he had "no remorse," and maintained "I haven't killed her. She died on her own. Husband and wife often have fights… it is very common."
Disturbing details emerge as case draws national attention
According to HT, Nikki was allegedly beaten and doused with a flammable liquid before being set ablaze. She succumbed to her injuries while being taken to a hospital in Delhi. Disturbing videos of the incident, recorded by Nikki’s elder sister Kanchan, surfaced on social media. One clip showed Nikki being dragged by her hair, while another showed her engulfed in flames and stumbling down the stairs before collapsing.
Nikki’s father Bhikahri Singh told reporters that his daughters had been subjected to years of torture over dowry demands. He alleged that the family had already provided a Scorpio SUV, a motorcycle, and jewellery, but the demands escalated to ₹36 lakh in cash and a luxury car. Her son, when asked confirmed his mother was burnt alive. Here's the instagram link.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and called for speedy justice, according to PTI.
