In a significant development in the Nikki murder case, Greater Noida police shot and injured the prime accused after he attempted to escape custody on Saturday.
According to media reports, Vipin tried to snatch a pistol from an officer while being taken to recover a thinner bottle he had allegedly bought.
(Read More:‘Slapped Her, Set Her On Fire’: Son Of Woman Killed Over Dowry In Greater Noida)
The victim’s son witnessed the horrific incident and said that his mother was slapped before being set on fire with a lighter.
 “They first put something on mumma. Then they slapped her. After this, they set her on fire using a lighter,” said the little boy, IANS reported.
Mother’s Reaction
The mother of the deceased alleged that Nikki’s in-laws used to demand cash and vehicles as dowry and also subjected her to abuse and assault.
Speaking with ANI, she said, “…Everyone is with us… What investigation is being done?… The in-laws used to demand vehicles and cash in dowry and assault my daughter… Her husband used to abuse my daughter as well as us (the victim’s family)… We want a death sentence for the accused…”, ANI quoted the mother of the victim as saying.
The deceased, identified as Nikki, was doused with inflammable material before being set ablaze, her family members alleged.
On Thursday, the matter came to light after Fortis Hospital informed the police that a woman had been admitted with severe burn injuries. Doctors at Fortis referred her to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital due to her critical condition. However, she died on the way before receiving further treatment.
Her elder sister Kanchan, who was also married into the same family, alleged that Nikki was murdered because she could not fulfil the in-laws’ demand for Rs 36 lakh as dowry.
(With agency inputs)