Greater Noida dowry death: Victim Nikki Bhati's mother-in-law arrested, husband Vipin Bhati remanded to judicial custody

The prime accused, Vipin Bhati, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody, India Today reported.

According to the DCP of Greater Noida, the mother-in-law, another accused in the case, has been arrested in the case.

The mother-in-law, Dayawati, was caught near JIMS Hospital based on a tip-off while she was reportedly going to see Vipin, injured in the police encounter.

Earlier in the day, Vipin Bhati, accused of brutally assaulting and setting his wife ablaze at their Greater Noida residence, tried to snatch a pistol from an officer while being taken to recover a bottle of inflammable liquid he had allegedly purchased.

He fled from custody near Sirsa Chauraha despite repeated warnings. Police opened fire, and a bullet struck his leg.

After the encounter, Vipin was caught and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

When asked if he had any regrets, he said, “I have no remorse. I haven't killed her. She died on her own.”

The victim, Nikki Bhati, was tortured and set on fire by her in-laws in front of her young son and sister.

“Meri mumma ke upar kuch dala, fir unko chanta mara fir lighter se aag laga di (They poured something on my mother, slapped her, and then set her on fire with a lighter),” recounted her shaken six-year-old son.

Video clips circulated on social media showed Nikki being assaulted, dragged by her hair, and later limping down the stairs after being set ablaze.

Her father added that despite fulfilling repeated dowry demands, Nikki’s in-laws continued to harass her.

“First they demanded a Scorpio in dowry, which was given. Later, they asked for a Bullet bike, and that too was provided. Yet, they kept torturing my daughter,” he told India Today TV.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that Vipin had also demanded a Mercedes recently bought by Nikki’s father, according to the NDTV report.