Noida: A fresh twist has emerged in the alleged dowry death of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati in Greater Noida, after video from her funeral showed her father-in-law and other in-laws present, despite her family claiming they had fled the scene after setting her ablaze.

Her sister Kanchan, who is also married into the same family, claimed that Nikki’s husband Vipin and other in-laws were responsible for the act. According to her, she fainted when she saw her sister burning and said that the family members fled after the crime.

Nikki’s father, Bhikari Singh Palya, had also accused the in-laws of escaping after the incident, sparing only the father-in-law. He maintained that except for Nikki’s father-in-law, the rest went on the run after setting her ablaze.

What does the funeral video show?

A new video from Nikki’s funeral the following morning appears to cast doubt over these claims. It shows her father-in-law, along with some other members of her husband’s family, present at the cremation. Significantly, her father-in-law is seen lighting the funeral pyre himself.

Despite this, just hours later at 12:40 pm, a case was filed by Nikki’s family accusing her husband Vipin, her brother-in-law Rohit (Kanchan’s husband), her father-in-law and her mother-in-law of killing her by setting her on fire.

Who has been arrested?

All four accused, Vipin, Rohit and their parents, were taken into custody. Police said Vipin was also shot in the leg after attempting to snatch an officer’s pistol.

What evidence has surfaced?

In one, Vipin is seen, shirtless, dragging Nikki by her hair while another woman is present. Blood is visible on his stomach and back.

In other clips, Nikki is seen hobbling down the stairs while engulfed in flames before sitting on the floor with severe burn injuries.

What has Kanchan said?

Kanchan alleged long-term abuse by the family, linked to demands for money.

“We were being tortured, our in-laws would tell us they did not get this or that during the wedding. They asked us to get Rs 36 lakh as additional dowry from our home. I was also assaulted between 1.30 am and 4 am on Thursday. They told me, ‘We have got dowry for one (sister), what about the other? You are better off dead. We will marry again’. I was hit several times and I was not in my senses the entire day,” she said.

She further described the final assault on her sister:

“That same evening, they brutally assaulted my sister in front of me and the children. They then threw some liquid on her and set her ablaze in front of my eyes. I tried to save her but I could not. Someone took her to the hospital. I don’t know who. I had fallen unconscious,” she added.

(With agency inputs)