The investigation into the death of Nikki Bhati in Greater Noida has become increasingly complex, with conflicting testimonies and emerging evidence creating more questions than answers. Nikki, 26, was found with severe burn injuries at her home in Sirsa village on August 21 and died en route to a Delhi hospital. While her family has alleged dowry harassment and murder, a hospital memo and Nikki's initial statement to doctors suggest a different narrative.

Nikki's family has accused her husband, Vipin Bhati, and his family of setting her ablaze for failing to meet dowry demands. According to Nikki's sister, Kanchan, Nikki faced persistent dowry harassment despite the family already providing a Scorpio SUV, a motorcycle, and jewelry at the time of her marriage in 2016. They were allegedly pressured to pay an additional ₹3.6 million and provide a luxury car. Vipin, his parents, and his brother have been arrested in connection with the alleged dowry death.

However, a memo from the private hospital where Nikki was initially admitted states that she suffered severe burn injuries due to a gas cylinder explosion at home. Furthermore, police investigators revealed that Nikki told doctors in her "dying declaration" that she sustained burn injuries while cooking. This statement contradicts her family's allegations. According to investigators, Nikki's family initially resisted a post-mortem examination, agreeing only after police intervention.

Adding another layer of complexity, Nikki's sister-in-law, Meenakshi, has accused Nikki's family of dowry harassment. Meenakshi, the estranged wife of Nikki's brother, Rohit, claimed that her in-laws, including Nikki, harassed her for dowry after her marriage in 2016. She alleged that her father had already given a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and 31 tola of gold at the time of her marriage, but her in-laws demanded a Scorpio SUV.

Police found no evidence of a cylinder blast at the scene. The kitchen was found intact, but an empty thinner bottle and a lighter were recovered and sent for forensic analysis. CCTV footage has emerged showing Vipin outside a shop near Nikki's house around the time of the incident. Another video purportedly captures Kanchan asking, "What have you done?". Police are working to verify the authenticity of the video and the voice.

The Uttar Pradesh State Women's Commission has intervened, demanding a fair and swift investigation. The commission also questioned the family's decision to leave Nikki at her in-laws' home despite the alleged harassment.

As the investigation continues, several questions remain unanswered. The conflicting accounts of the incident, the absence of blast evidence, and the accusations against both families have created a web of uncertainty. The admissibility of Nikki's statement to doctors as a "dying declaration" in court is also uncertain, as such statements are typically only admissible if recorded before a magistrate. The police are exploring all possible angles, including the possibility of suicide, as they await the forensic analysis results and continue to gather evidence.