NEW DELHI: Days after Nikki Bhati died after being allegedly set ablaze in Sirsa village, fresh claims and counterclaims have emerged with her sister-in-law defending Nikki’s husband and in-laws, while Nikki’s father has strongly denied dowry counter-allegations made against his family.Nikki’s sister-in-law, who is the estranged wife of Nikki’s brother Rohit, said she did not believe Nikki’s in-laws were guilty. “I don’t think they (Nikki’s husband, Vipin’s family) are guilty.” Moreover, she also levelled dowry charges against Nikki’s father and brother. “My in-laws used to beat me for dowry. I used to run away to my village. They never allowed me to keep a mobile phone. Rohit used to stay out of his home for three months. I spent nine years there, but for the last 14 months I have been at my own home. In a panchayat, my in-laws (deceased Nikki’s parents) were asked to pay Rs 35 lakhs to me, but they never did. I never met Nikki’s in-laws…I want justice,” she said.Responding to the allegations, Nikki’s father, Bhikhari Singh Payla, denied the charge. “My son (Rohit Payla) never lifted his hand on her (daughter-in-law). Does it ever happen that a family comes to drop their daughter (his daughter-in-law) off at home and attack her family? I have all the evidence. Our doors are always open for her (daughter-in-law),” he said. Nikki, who was married to Vipin in 2016, died on August 21 after being set on fire. Videos purportedly showing her being assaulted by her husband and then in flames surfaced on social media.Her family, which had married off two daughters to two brothers in the same family, said they gave a Scorpio, a motorcycle and gold as part of the wedding. They alleged that later, Vipin’s family demanded Rs 36 lakh and a luxury car.Vipin, Rohit, Nikki’s father-in-law Satyavir and mother-in-law Daya have been arrested for the alleged dowry murder.Vipin was shot in the leg on August 24 when he allegedly attempted to flee police custody.Meanwhile, investigators looking into Nikki Bhati’s death have decided to question her sister Kanchan once again. Her statement forms the basis of the murder case against Nikki’s husband and in-laws. The re-examination aims to clarify the sequence of events on the evening of August 21 that ended with Nikki’s death.
