Nikki Bhati Case Sees Massive U-Turn As Witness Turns Hostile, Family Strikes Settlement With In-Laws
Nikki Bhati Case Sees Massive U-Turn As Witness Turns Hostile, Family Strikes Settlement With In-Laws Published By, Last Updated: May 29, 2026, 11:48 IST Nine
Nikki Bhati Case Sees Massive U-Turn As Witness Turns Hostile, Family Strikes Settlement With In-Laws Published By, Last Updated: May 29, 2026, 11:48 IST Nine months after Nikki Bhati’s death in Greater Noida, both families have reached a settlement through Panchayat mediation, with property to be transferred to Nikki’s children. File photos of Nikki Bhati (L)/ Nikki Bhati with her husband (R) (Social Media) Nine months after the death of Greater Noida resident Nikki Bhati in a high-profile alleged dowry death case, a major development has emerged with both families reaching a settlement through Panchayat mediation. According to a report with IANS, as part of the settlement, Nikki Bhati’s sister Kanchan Bhati, who is married to Nikki’s brother-in-law Rohit Bhati, will return to her marital home in Greater Noida after months of estrangement following the incident. The dispute between the two families had continued for nearly nine months after Nikki’s death in August 2025. The settlement was finalised after several rounds of discussions during Panchayat proceedings in the presence of elders from both families and members of the community. Both sides reportedly arrived at a consensus, keeping in mind the future of Nikki’s children and the larger interests of the family. Under the terms of the settlement, Nikki’s family and her in-laws have agreed to transfer property in the names of Nikki’s children.
Family members told IANS that the decision was taken to safeguard the rights of the children and ensure their future security. The development marks a dramatic turn in a case that had triggered widespread outrage last year after allegations of domestic violence and dowry harassment surfaced following Nikki’s death. Nikki Bhati had suffered severe burn injuries at her marital home in Sirsa village in Greater Noida and later succumbed to them on August 21, 2025. Following the incident, Nikki’s relatives accused her husband, Vipin Bhati and his family of setting her on fire over dowry-related disputes. Acting on the complaint, police launched an investigation and later arrested Vipin Bhati after an encounter. His parents and elder brother were also arrested in connection with the case. Sources cited by IANS said Nikki’s family is now expected to begin the legal process of withdrawing the case against her in-laws by filing an affidavit before the court. The settlement has reportedly eased tensions that had persisted between the two families since the incident. The Hindustan Times reported additional developments in the case, including a significant change in the testimony of Kanchan Bhati, who was considered a key witness in the matter. Kanchan had initially alleged in her police complaint that Nikki’s husband, Vipin Bhati and mother-in-law Daya Bhati had set Nikki on fire while other family members watched.
She had also claimed she was assaulted while attempting to intervene. However, the HT reported that Kanchan later changed her statement before a local court in Noida around 20 days ago. Quoting government counsel associated with the case, the report said Kanchan told the court that no one was inside the house at the time of the incident and that Nikki’s husband and in-laws were outside. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 10, according to the report. It further claimed that Nikki’s father, Bhikari Singh, confirmed that the accused family had agreed to transfer property to Nikki’s son as part of the settlement. He also stated that Kanchan, who had been living with her parents in Roopvas village since the incident, would now move with her husband to a separate house in Dadri. “There will be no interference from her in-laws in Kanchan’s married life," Singh was quoted as saying by the report. The changing statements have also impacted the prosecution’s position in the case. According to the Hindustan Times, government counsel acknowledged that the case had weakened after the prime witness turned hostile. Meanwhile, Vipin Bhati’s lawyer Amit Bhati said the defence would soon move a bail application in the high court based on the available evidence.
The report also mentioned that police officials involved in the investigation said they had not received any formal written communication regarding the compromise between the two families. Police had earlier filed a chargesheet based on the allegations made by Nikki’s family. Investigators had alleged that Nikki’s husband and in-laws opposed her plans to reopen a salon she previously operated and were also unhappy with her social media activity, particularly her Instagram presence used to promote the business. Police had registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to murder, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal conspiracy, at Kasna police station. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 29, 2026, 11:47 IST News india Nikki Bhati Case Sees Massive U-Turn As Witness Turns Hostile, Family Strikes Settlement With In-Laws Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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