Nikki Bhati case takes another turn: Doctors say victim told them burns were caused by gas cylinder blast

Suspected dowry victim Nikki Bhati died due to burns from a gas cylinder explosion at home, doctors and nurses from a private hospital told police in their statements. She was admitted in critical condition on August 21 and died the following day, a PTI report stated.

According to a hospital memo, Bhati was brought in by a cousin of her husband, Vipin Bhati, after she “suffered severe burns in a gas cylinder explosion at home.” “The statement of the doctors and nurses who were present at the time of her admission has been recorded. Nikki told them that she sustained burn injuries due to a blast in a gas cylinder,” a police official said.

Investigation under way

Police said they are probing all aspects of the case and recording statements before further action. An inflammable liquid recovered from Nikki’s room has been sent for forensic analysis. Investigators are also reviewing video clips circulating in the public domain.


The new details have surfaced amid earlier allegations that Nikki was set on fire by her husband and in-laws over dowry demands. She was 26 years old. All four accused, husband Vipin, father-in-law Satyaveer, mother-in-law Daya, and brother-in-law Rohit, have been arrested.

The FIR in the case has been filed under sections 103(1) (murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 61(2) (attempt to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Nikki's Family’s demand

Nikki’s family members met a member of the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Women on Wednesday. They demanded that the case be tried in a fast-track court.

(Inputs from PTI)