The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas of two family members accused in a dowry-related death case, while extending limited protection to a third applicant. The order came in connection with the tragic death of 25-year-old Nikita Gambhir, who died by suicide in her parental home barely 15 months after her marriage.
Background
According to the prosecution, Nikita married Sourav, son of Veer Bhan, in April 2024. Within a year of marriage, her family alleged she was subjected to repeated harassment over dowry. Police records mention demands ranging from cash to a Scorpio car. On August 22, 2025, Nikita was found dead at her parental residence in Rohini. No suicide note was recovered.
Her mother and brother told the authorities that Nikita had been regularly beaten and humiliated. They alleged that on August 12 and 13, she was assaulted and thrown out of her home after being pressed to bring a car. The police later produced transcripts of her phone calls with her mother, where she explicitly complained of beatings and even expressed a desire to go to the police.
Court's Observations
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma heard arguments from both sides. Counsel for the applicants - Veer Bhan (father-in-law), Rahul Sahni (brother-in-law), and Akansha (sister-in-law) - insisted there were no specific allegations against them and that they lived on separate floors. They maintained that the dispute, if any, was between Nikita and her husband.
The State opposed bail strongly. The APP pointed to witness statements and transcripts to show Nikita faced cruelty close to her death.
"The conversation prima facie demonstrates that the deceased had been subjected to severe cruelty and harassment in close proximity to the time of her death," the bench observed.
The Court further rejected the argument about separate living arrangements, noting:
"The mere fact that they were residing on different floors of the same house does not imply that they were not in contact with the deceased or that they could not have subjected her to cruelty."
Decision
After weighing the material, the Court denied anticipatory bail to Veer Bhan and Rahul Sahni, observing that their alleged involvement in harassment and dowry demands could not be brushed aside at this stage.
However, Akansha's plea was treated differently. The Court relied on call transcripts where Nikita herself had told her mother that Akansha had expressed sympathy and even admitted facing similar treatment in the past.
"Considering the aforesaid, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant Akansha," the order noted.
Akansha was granted bail with conditions, including a bond of ₹10,000, regular cooperation with the police, and a restriction on leaving the country without court permission.
The order closed with a stark reminder:
"It is profoundly unfortunate that, even in present times, many women continue to suffer cruelty within their matrimonial homes, inter alia, for demand of dowry. Such cruelty not only robs women of their dignity but, in many tragic cases, also costs them their lives."
Case Title:- Rahul Sahni vs. State (NCT of Delhi)
