In a shocking development in the Greater Noida dowry murder case, Vipin Bhati, accused of brutally attacking and setting his 28-year-old wife Nikki Bhati on fire over a dowry demand, was shot in the leg by police while attempting to escape custody. The incident occurred hours after Nikki’s father publicly demanded an encounter of the accused.

Nikki, who suffered severe burn injuries, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday while undergoing treatment at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. She had been admitted after being allegedly set ablaze by her husband Vipin and his mother Daya. Her sister Kanchan, who is married to Vipin’s brother Rohit, alleged that both Vipin and Daya were involved in the crime. Disturbing video evidence shared by Kanchan shows Vipin and his mother assaulting Nikki, while another clip depicts Nikki engulfed in flames falling down the stairs.

While Vipin was arrested on Saturday, his mother Daya, father Satyavir, and brother Rohit remain absconding. Nikki’s father, Bhikari Singh Payla, expressed his anger in an interview earlier today, saying, “These murderers deserve to be shot and their house demolished. My daughter supported her child by running a beauty salon, yet they harassed and ultimately killed her.”

According to police reports, Vipin tried to flee custody during transit at the Sirsa roundabout in Greater Noida. Officers shot him in the leg before returning him to custody. Shockingly, Vipin showed no remorse after being captured, telling ANI, “I haven’t killed her. She died on her own. Husband and wife often fight; it is very common.”