Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 24: A gruesome dowry death has shocked the national capital, where a young woman, Nikki (28), was allegedly set ablaze by her husband and mother-in-law after failing to meet a Rs 36 lakh dowry demand.

Nikki, who married Vipin Bhati in December 2016, was gifted a Scorpio SUV, Royal Enfield, gold and cash by her family. Yet, according to her sister Kanchan, who also married into the same family, the in-laws continued to demand more. “They would taunt that even the clothes given by our parents cost Rs 2,” she said, breaking down.

On Thursday evening, Nikki was brutally assaulted by Vipin and his mother Daya, before Vipin allegedly poured a flammable liquid on her and set her on fire. Kanchan, who tried to save her, was also beaten. Horrifying visuals captured by her show Nikki in flames stumbling down a staircase. She was rushed to Safdarjung Hospital, but succumbed to her injuries.

Their six-year-old son witnessed the horror. “They first put something on Mumma, then slapped her, before burning her,” he told relatives.

Vipin has been arrested, while his parents and brother are absconding. Nikki’s father, Bhikari Singh Payla, has demanded strictest punishment: “They should be shot dead, their house demolished. My daughter was tortured and killed by the entire family.” Her mother Sanju cried inconsolably: “The son and mother should be hanged. My daughter died in unbearable pain.”

Police said efforts are on to trace the absconding accused.