NEW DELHI: The main accused in the Greater Noida dowry death case, Vipin Bhati, has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days, police said on Sunday. Bhati was arrested earlier in the day after being shot in the leg while attempting to escape from custody.Hours later, police also arrested his mother, who is accused of playing a key role in the alleged murder of Nikki Bhati, Vipin’s wife. Confirming the arrest, the DCP, Greater Noida, said, “One more accused has been arrested in the murder case. The deceased’s mother-in-law has also been arrested.”Nikki’s father, Bhikhari Singh Payla, welcomed the arrests but voiced his anguish. “The administration is working well. The monsters burnt her to death… I am happy that she (victim’s mother-in-law) has been arrested. She is behind the entire conspiracy. It is a mother’s work to educate the child. Instead of disciplining him, she encouraged him (the victim’s husband) further. They must be hanged,” he said.
Payla alleged that Nikki’s mother-in-law poured kerosene on her while Vipin set her ablaze. “They demanded a car and tortured my daughter. Now their demands have been met with her death,” he said during a protest outside Kasna Police Station.Nikki, who had suffered 70% burn injuries, died at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. Her family claims she was repeatedly harassed for dowry. Vipin, however, denied any role in her death, saying from his hospital bed, “I have no remorse. I haven’t killed her… Husband and wife often have fights, it is very common.”The victim’s father described his son-in-law as “a butcher,” recalling how Nikki had once been brought home due to domestic violence but was later sent back after assurances from her in-laws. “It continued. Now they have got what they wanted,” he said.Police said further investigation into the case is underway.(With inputs from agencies)
