Allahabad High Court Grants Bail to Second Accused in Nikki Bhati Murder Case
The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to a second accused in the Nikki Bhati murder case, marking a significant development in the high-profile investigation. Justice Krishan Pahal granted bail to Satvir, the father-in-law of the victim, on Wednesday, citing parity with co-accused Rohit, who was granted bail on January 5.
Background of the Tragic Incident
Nikki Bhati, a 28-year-old woman, was allegedly burnt to death on August 21 last year at her home in Kasna, Noida. The police investigation revealed a harrowing sequence of events where the woman was pinned down and doused with an inflammable thinner before being set ablaze by the accused.
Police named four family members as accused in the case:
- Husband Vipin
- Father-in-law Satvir
- Mother-in-law Daya
- Brother-in-law Rohit
Chargesheet Details and Allegations
A comprehensive 500-page chargesheet filed in November last year stated that the four accused had "meticulously planned" the assault. According to the chargesheet, the accused coordinated their movements, staged appearances before CCTV cameras to create alibis, and later attempted to portray the incident as an accidental fire.
The accused are facing serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections:
- Section 103(1) - Murder
- Section 115(2) - Voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 61(2) - Criminal conspiracy
Legal Proceedings and Bail History
Satvir, who was arrested on August 25, has been in judicial custody since his arrest. His bail journey has been marked by several rejections before this High Court decision:
- In September, a chief judicial magistrate rejected bail applications of all four accused
- In December, a sessions court denied bail to Satvir, observing that the accusations against him were "grave" and that his role in the alleged conspiracy could not be discounted at that stage
- After Rohit was granted bail in January, Satvir approached the High Court for his third attempt at securing bail
Court Proceedings and Arguments
During the bail hearing, senior advocate Gaurav Kakkar, assisted by advocate Anupam Dubey, presented arguments for Satvir's release. The defense team highlighted several key points:
- The applicant has no criminal history
- Satvir has been in jail since August 2025
- The charges against Satvir were identical to those against Rohit, who had already been granted bail by the same court
Court's Decision and Conditions
Taking note of these submissions, Justice Krishan Pahal granted bail to Satvir, emphasizing that the court was doing so "without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case." The court ordered Satvir's release on a personal bond with two sureties, subject to trial court approval.
The court imposed several strict conditions for the bail:
- Satvir is barred from tampering with evidence
- He must not influence witnesses
- He must appear on all hearing dates
- Any breach of these conditions could lead to cancellation of bail
Future Legal Proceedings
Advocate Amit Bhati 'Bodaki', the local counsel for Vipin and his family, informed that they will now move the court for Daya's bail application. This development suggests that the legal battle in this case is far from over, with multiple layers of judicial scrutiny still pending.
The case continues to draw significant attention due to its brutal nature and the complex family dynamics involved. The investigation revealed a premeditated attack that shocked the local community in Kasna, Noida, raising serious questions about domestic violence and family disputes.
