‘In ‘dying statement’, Nikki alleged cylinder blast: Cops

Claims, contradictions and probe

- Arun Singh [e-mail]

Nikki Bhati, the 28-year-old woman who was allegedly set ablaze by her in-laws in Greater Noida last week, told doctors in her dying declaration that she suffered “burn injuries while cooking”, said police investigators privy to the case on Wednesday, adding that she may have been motivated to make such a statement to protect her sister. Investigators also said that Nikki's family initially refused a postmortem, but only agreed after local police officials counselled them.

According to police and hospital officials who have worked on the case, Nikki told doctors in her “dying declaration” that she was injured while cooking, after a cylinder blast at her home. The statement was noted in the hospital’s medico-legal certificate (MLC No. 703), which recorded: “burn at home, due to blast of cooking cylinder.” Nikki was brought in critical condition by her husband Vipin Bhati's relative, Devendra, at 6pm

To be sure, such declarations are admissible in court only if recorded before a magistrate — something police could not arrange as Nikki died on the way to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.

The police investigation, however, later ruled out any cylinder blast and recovered an empty thinner bottle and lighter from the house, now key evidence in the case.

Kasna station house officer (SHO) Dharmendra Shukla said Nikki may have deliberately concealed the truth. “It is believed she did not want anyone to be sent behind bars, which is why she did not blame anyone in her last words,” he said.