Uttar Pradesh Woman Burned Alive in Dowry Dispute, Husband and Family Arrested

Left, Police personnel apprehend the man, accused of setting his wife on fire over dowry, after he was shot in leg while escaping custody. Right, a picture of the man and the wife he murdered

Police in north India’s Uttar Pradesh have arrested multiple members of a family after a 26-year-old woman was allegedly killed over dowry demands in Greater Noida, near Delhi.

The victim, identified as Nikki Payla, was allegedly set on fire by her husband, Vipin Bhati, after her family failed to meet his demands for Rs 3.5 million in cash and a luxury car. According to Payla’s relatives, she had been subjected to continuous harassment and torture by her husband and in-laws since her marriage in 2016.

The victim, identified as Nikki

Police said Bhati was arrested on Sunday and shot in the leg when he allegedly attempted to escape custody. His mother, accused of assaulting and abusing the victim, was also arrested. On Monday, authorities confirmed further arrests, detaining Bhati’s father, Satya Veer, 55, and brother, Rohit Bhati, 28, at Sirsa Chauraha in Uttar Pradesh.

The case came to light on Thursday when police received a memo from a private hospital in Greater Noida about a severely burned woman being transferred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. Payla died en route to the government facility. Investigators said initial evidence suggests she was doused with a flammable paint thinner before being set ablaze.

A photo from the video showing Nikki burning alive

Greater Noida Additional Commissioner of Police Sudhir Kumar stated that videos provided by Payla’s sister, Kanchan—who is married to Vipin’s younger brother Rohit—are being reviewed as part of the investigation. The footage, reportedly showing assault, has been widely circulated on social media.

Payla’s family said they had already given the Bhati family a Scorpio SUV, a Royal Enfield motorcycle, and gold jewelry as dowry, but further demands for cash and luxury vehicles continued.

Despite the allegations, Vipin Bhati denied responsibility for his wife’s death after his arrest, telling police, “I have no remorse. I haven’t killed her. She died on her own. Husbands and wives often have fights…it is very common.”

According to India’s National Crime Records Bureau, an average of 7,000 dowry-related deaths are reported annually between 2017 and 2022, though experts believe the true figure is higher due to underreporting.