Will ‘Encounter’ Be Enough to End Scourge of Dowry Murders?

GG News Bureau
Greater Noida, 24th Aug: In a dramatic turn in the Greater Noida dowry murder case, Vipin Bhati — accused of torturing and setting his wife Nikki ablaze — was injured in a police encounter on Sunday. Officials said Bhati attempted to escape custody after his arrest, forcing officers to open fire. He sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and was immediately shifted to a hospital under tight security.

Police confirmed that Bhati, married to Nikki since 2016, had been under interrogation for allegedly subjecting his wife to years of dowry harassment. The final act of brutality, according to investigators, came when she was doused with kerosene and set on fire inside her in-laws’ home.

Nikki’s death has sparked widespread outrage and renewed debate about the persistence of dowry-related crimes in Uttar Pradesh and across India. She suffered over 70 per cent burns and died at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital earlier this week.

Her family staged a protest outside Kasna Police Station on Sunday, demanding swift and exemplary punishment for Bhati and his relatives. “Her mother-in-law poured kerosene while her husband lit the match,” Nikki’s father alleged, calling the accused “monsters” who destroyed his daughter’s life for material gain.

He further claimed that the harassment had continued for years despite repeated assurances from Bhati’s family that the abuse would stop. “They kept demanding a car and money. We married our daughter according to tradition, but their greed never ended. Today they have got what they wanted — at the cost of my daughter’s life,” he said.

The victim’s father also spoke about the family’s struggle to save Nikki. “When I reached Fortis Hospital, she had 70 per cent burns. She was later shifted to Safdarjung where she was declared dead. These people set her on fire and ran away. It was neighbours who rushed her to hospital, not her in-laws,” he said, breaking down before reporters.

The family’s anguish deepened when Nikki’s young son reportedly described to relatives what had happened inside the house. Both Nikki and her elder sister had been married into the same family, raising concerns about systemic abuse.

Police sources said investigations are continuing into the role of other family members, including Bhati’s parents, who are accused of active participation in the crime. Officials have promised strict action once the probe is complete.

Meanwhile, the encounter has triggered mixed reactions. While some residents welcomed the police action, others expressed doubts about the circumstances of Bhati’s injury. A local resident commented, “It looks staged to avoid public backlash. Police must focus on securing convictions in court rather than encounters.”

Women’s rights activists condemned the brutal killing and called for stronger enforcement of anti-dowry laws. “Despite decades of legislation, young brides continue to face horrific violence. This case underlines the urgent need for accountability,” said one activist.

As public anger mounts, the case is being closely monitored both by state authorities and national women’s rights bodies. For Nikki’s grieving family, however, justice will only be served when the accused face the full weight of the law.