A day after the Greater Noida police arrested all four associated with the alleged dowry death of Nikki Bhati, the police are now mulling over replacing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to murder with abetment to suicide. “With new evidence surfacing, which we are yet to completely analyse, we are considering replacing Section 103(1) (murder) with Section 108 (abetment to suicide),” said a senior Greater Noida police officer aware of the matter.
According to the police, CCTV footage from a shop diagonally opposite the residence of the Bhatis shows Nikki’s husband and prime accused Vipin Bhati standing in front of a grocery store near his residence. Minutes later, he is joined by a minor, and is seen rushing into the house after some commotion breaks out. He is spotted again briefly stepping out to park his car inside a narrow alley.
CCTV footage
The police are verifying the CCTV footage that has emerged from the shop as well as time stamps of the videos recorded by Kanchan Bhati, Nikki’s sister, who is married to Mr. Vipin’s brother Rohit, to understand the sequence of events. Ms. Kanchan had alleged that Nikki was set on fire by her husband and in-laws.
“Some of the neighbours of Vipin claim they heard Nikki exclaim after she emerged with burns that she has made a mistake and crying for help,” the officer said.
The police have rejected the claim of the Bhati family, made while admitting Nikki at Fortis Hospital, that she was injured in a cylinder blast at home. “There were no cylinders at the spot, only a cigarette lighter and a bottle of inflammable liquid,” said the officer.
Mr. Vipin, his mother Daya, father Satveer and brother Rohit have been arrested and charged under various BNS sections including murder.
Published – August 27, 2025 12:08 am IST
