Fresh twist in Noida dowry death case as victim’s sister-in-law makes shocking claim
Bringing a new twist to the case, Minakshi, the estranged wife of Nikki's brother Rohit Payla, has alleged that she too faced dowry harassment from the Payla family. Married to Rohit in 2016, the 31-year-old from Palla village claims her family had given a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz as dowry at the time of the wedding.
New Delhi: The sensational Noida dowry death case has taken an unexpected turn after fresh allegations emerged against the family of the victim, Nikki Bhati. While her parents had earlier accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment that eventually led to her death, a similar accusation has now surfaced from within her own family.
Nikki’s sister-in-law Minakshi, the estranged wife of her brother Rohit Payla, has come forward alleging that she too was subjected to dowry harassment by the Payla family. Minakshi, 31, married Rohit in 2016. Her family, hailing from Palla village, claims that a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz was given as dowry at the time of marriage. However, Rohit’s family allegedly sold the car, terming it "inauspicious,” and demanded instead a new Scorpio SUV along with cash.
Family feud intensifies
When these demands were denied, Minakshi says she was sent back to her parents’ house. The issue reached the village panchayat, where it was suggested that either the Paylas return Rs 35 lakh—money claimed to have been spent on the wedding—so that Minakshi could remarry, or accept her back as their daughter-in-law. The dispute, however, remained unresolved, with Minakshi alleging that Nikki’s father, Bhikhari Singh Payla, and other family members never accepted her.
Rohit Payla has declined to comment on the accusations, dismissing them as "mere allegations.” But a relative defended the family, remarking, "Fights happen in every house. At least we did not burn the girl.” Reports also suggest that tensions between the two families had once escalated to the point of guns being drawn.
Fresh twist in probe
Interestingly, Satyavir Singh—Nikki’s father-in-law and currently under arrest in her case—had intervened multiple times in Minakshi’s matter. He is said to have assured her father that he would convince Bhikhari Singh Payla to settle the issue, highlighting the long-standing disputes between the families.
These revelations complicate the ongoing probe into Nikki Bhati’s horrific death. The 28-year-old was set ablaze by her in-laws last week after enduring years of dowry demands and abuse. The shocking video of her stumbling down the stairs while engulfed in flames brought national attention to the case. Nikki later succumbed to her injuries, while her young son and sister—married into the same household—witnessed the crime.