‘They burnt my mother’: Nikki’s father says son recalls murder, ‘cries daily’

The seven-year-old son of Nikki Bhati, the Greater Noida woman allegedly set ablaze by her husband and in-laws over a dowry demand, is struggling with trauma after witnessing the attack.

According to the child, he saw something poured on his 28-year-old mother before she was set on fire with a lighter. Nikki’s father, Bhikari Singh Payla, said the boy breaks down every evening, repeating, “They burnt my mother.”

“I will raise him as best as I can. But every evening he cries, remembering his mother,” Payla told NDTV.

Police have arrested Nikki’s husband Vipin Bhati, his brother Rohit, and their parents Daya and Satyavir in connection with the case.

Nikki, married to Vipin for nine years, was allegedly killed over a ₹36 lakh dowry demand. Her elder sister Kanchan — married to Vipin’s brother Rohit — claimed she saw Nikki being set on fire. She also accused her in-laws of assaulting her over dowry. Vipin, however, has claimed Nikki died by suicide.

The victim’s family said Nikki and Kanchan had started a salon and boutique to earn independently, something Vipin disapproved of. An argument on August 21 allegedly escalated into the fatal assault, with Nikki suffering 70% burns before succumbing to her injuries.

“My elder daughter called me and said, ‘Papa, Nikki ko jala diya.’ When we reached the hospital, doctors said she had severe burns. I have lost everything,” Payla said.