Allahabad High Court Grants Bail to Mother-in-Law in Noida Murder Case
The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to the mother-in-law of Nikki Bhati in the alleged murder case that shocked Noida last year. The court made this decision without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, focusing instead on specific evidence presented during the bail hearing.
Background of the Tragic Case
Nikki Bhati, a 28-year-old woman, was allegedly burned to death on August 21 last year at her home in Kasna, Noida. Following the tragic incident, police named four family members as accused: her husband Vipin, father-in-law Satvir, mother-in-law Daya, and brother-in-law Rohit. All four were arrested on August 24, 2023, marking the beginning of a complex legal battle.
Progressive Bail Grants in the Case
This represents the third bail granted in this high-profile case. Rohit, the brother-in-law, received bail on January 1, followed by Satvir, the father-in-law, on January 27. With Daya's bail now approved, only Vipin, Nikki's husband, remains behind bars. All four accused face serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including:
- Section 103(1) for murder
- Section 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 61(2) for criminal conspiracy
Advocate Amit Bhati Bodaki, local counsel for Vipin, has indicated they will approach the High Court for his bail as well, suggesting the legal proceedings will continue.
Court's Reasoning for Granting Bail
In an order released on Friday, the High Court bench headed by Justice Krishan Pahal provided detailed reasoning for granting bail to Daya. The court noted that the eyewitness and son of the deceased clearly stated the applicant was not present at the scene during the incident. This crucial testimony formed a significant part of the court's consideration.
Furthermore, CCTV footage from a nearby shop corroborated this account, showing Daya at that location at the time of the incident. The footage also revealed that she rushed home upon hearing about the tragedy and subsequently accompanied the deceased to the hospital for medical treatment.
Bail Conditions and Legal Safeguards
The court directed that Daya be granted bail upon furnishing a personal bond and two sureties to the satisfaction of the concerned court, subject to verification. The bail comes with strict conditions:
- She must not tamper with evidence in any manner
- She must not intimidate witnesses involved in the case
- She must appear before the trial court as required
The court explicitly warned that any breach of these conditions would result in immediate cancellation of bail. Importantly, the bench clarified that observations made during the bail hearing shall not influence the trial on merits, preserving the integrity of the ongoing legal process.
Defense Arguments and Prosecution Opposition
Counsel Gaurav Kakkar, assisted by Anupam Dubey, presented compelling arguments for Daya's defense. They contended that the 55-year-old woman was falsely implicated and had no involvement in the offence. Kakkar highlighted that the FIR was delayed by 19 hours without any explanation, suggesting it was instituted after due deliberation and consultation.
"The instant FIR is too crisp and short and does not indicate the details of the incident," Kakkar argued in court. He further emphasized that "had the applicant been involved in the commission of the offence, she would not have accompanied the deceased to the hospital and assisted in her treatment."
However, counsel for complainant Kanchan Bhati (Nikki's sister), Amit Kumar Yadav and RP Patel, strongly opposed the bail application. They alleged that Daya acted in concert with the co-accused, had previously assaulted the deceased, and supplied the thinner used in the murder. Despite these allegations, it was admitted that Daya has no prior criminal history, which may have influenced the court's decision.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
This development represents a significant moment in the ongoing legal proceedings. While three of the four accused are now out on bail, the murder trial continues with Vipin remaining in custody. The case has drawn considerable attention due to its tragic nature and the complex family dynamics involved.
The court's careful distinction between bail considerations and trial merits ensures that the fundamental legal principle of "innocent until proven guilty" is maintained while allowing the judicial process to proceed without prejudice. As the case moves forward, all eyes will remain on the trial court where the substantive evidence will be examined in detail.
