The life lost to dowry abuse: A Greater Noida tragedy

Nikki faced years of harassment and exploitation; husband, in-laws arrested

- BY STEPHEN N. R.

Despite laws banning dowry, millions of women in India remain vulnerable to abuse, as the tragic death of Nikki Bhati in Greater Noida shows.

Nikki, 28, was allegedly set on fire by her husband, Vipin Bhati, and mother-in-law Daya Bhati over a dowry dispute of Rs3.6 million, money her father had already paid.

Her father, Bhikari Singh Payla, told NDTV that he had followed clan traditions when marrying off Nikki and her sister, Kanchan, in 2016, providing gifts including an SUV, cash, nearly 500 grams of gold, and later, a motorcycle.

Brothers unemployed