In just days, two brutal dowry-related tragedies have rattled North India. In Greater Noida, 26-year-old Nikki Bhati was allegedly doused in thinner and set ablaze by her husband and in-laws. She died en route to the hospital, as her young son watched in horror. Meanwhile, in Delhi’s Dwarka region, a 22-year-old pregnant woman named Komal was found dead under suspicious circumstances—her family claims dowry harassment led to her untimely death. These incidents underscore the grim persistence of dowry-linked violence.
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Nikki Bhati: A Marriage That Demanded Blood
Nikki’s eight years of marriage were marred by escalating dowry demands—including a Scorpio, a bullet bike, and later, a staggering INR thirty-six lakh in cash, according to her father. She was ultimately set afire using thinner from her beauty parlour—a chilling escalation that followed years of psychological and physical torture. Police have arrested her husband Vipin, brother-in-law, father-in-law, and mother-in-law. Vipin was shot in the leg while trying to flee custody.
Another Woman’s Death, Same Tragedy
Just days earlier, Komal—a two-months pregnant woman married in April—was found dead after being admitted unconscious to the hospital. Her family alleges relentless abuse and dowry-related bullying by her husband and in-laws during their four-month marriage. The police are investigating the case as dowry harassment.
Dowry Crimes Remain a National Scourge
These two tragedies echo broader patterns documented in the Hindustan Times: dowry-related murders, especially bride burnings, continue due to cultural pressure and societal inertia. According to NCRB data, India still records thousands of dowry deaths each year, most involving young brides.
India’s anti-dowry laws—like Sections 498A and 304B and new provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—exist but remain poorly enforced. Low conviction rates, slow investigations, and societal apathy provide cover for violence that should no longer be tolerated. These cases should spark not only outrage but real action toward protecting vulnerable women.
