New CCTV Evidence Complicates Nikki Bhati Dowry Death Probe

Noida, Uttar Pradesh: The investigation into the death of 24-year-old Nikki Bhati, initially suspected to be a dowry-related murder, has taken a dramatic turn. New CCTV footage and a video allegedly recorded by Nikki’s sister, Kanchan, have raised fresh questions about the sequence of events on August 21, 2025.Police confirmed that they will re-question Kanchan, whose earlier testimony was the primary basis for the murder charges filed against Nikki’s husband, Vipin, and his family.

Contradictory Claims and Evidence

The newly surfaced CCTV footage reportedly shows Vipin standing outside the house around the time of the incident, challenging initial claims that he was directly present when Nikki suffered burns.

Additionally, investigators are examining a video where a woman’s voice, believed to be Kanchan’s, is heard asking Nikki:

“Yeh kya kar liya?” (“What have you done?”)

Police are conducting forensic verification to confirm the identity of the voice in the video.

Conflicting Narratives

While Nikki’s sister alleged that Vipin set Nikki on fire after years of harassment, early medical records from Fortis Hospital based on information provided by the family stated that the injuries were caused by a cooking cylinder blast.

Vipin’s cousin, Devender, who rushed Nikki to the hospital, also supported the cylinder blast explanation. However, Nikki’s cousin Sunny Payla has demanded that police review internal CCTV footage from cameras installed inside the house to establish what truly happened.

Social Media Outrage

In an emotional Instagram post, Kanchan criticized the shift in public perception after the release of the footage.

“It’s such a shame that just one CCTV footage has turned the entire matter around. Would the world react the same way if the roles were reversed?” she wrote.

She also shared alleged chat screenshots showing Vipin’s interactions with other women, calling them evidence of ongoing marital issues.

Ongoing Investigation

Police have already arrested Vipin, his parents Daya and Satveer, and his elder brother Rohit. Officials confirmed they are cross-verifying all 10–12 witness statements and piecing together the exact timeline of the events leading to Nikki’s death.

“We will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure all angles are explored,” said a senior officer.