Noida, August 23 — The Noida Police on Friday made a second arrest in the high-profile dowry death case of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati, who was set ablaze earlier this week. The victim’s mother-in-law was taken into custody following initial investigations, officials confirmed.

Bhati had sustained severe burn injuries on Tuesday at her in-laws’ residence in Noida. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, she succumbed to her injuries. The incident sparked outrage after her family alleged that she was harassed for a dowry of ₹36 lakh.

Her husband was arrested earlier in the week as the prime accused. In his defense, he claimed that Nikki had set herself on fire following a domestic dispute, a version rejected by her family. The arrest of the mother-in-law has further strengthened the police’s case under sections of dowry harassment and murder.

Authorities said they are awaiting forensic reports and witness statements to establish a clearer timeline of events. “This is a sensitive case, and every angle is being investigated. We are committed to ensuring justice,” a senior police official stated.

Dowry-related crimes remain a serious concern in Uttar Pradesh, despite strict laws such as the Dowry Prohibition Act and Section 304B of the IPC. Women’s rights groups have called for swift prosecution to send a strong message.

The case will be presented in court next week, with police expected to seek custody for further interrogation of the accused family members