A court in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday remanded Vipin Bhati, the prime accused in the alleged dowry murder of his 28-year-old wife, in 14 days’ judicial custody.

On the same day, the police also arrested his mother, who is also charged in the case, even as other family members remain on the run.

The developments came a day after Nikki died of 70% burn injuries at Safdarjung Hospital, to which she had been referred from Fortis Hospital in Noida.

According to the police, she was allegedly set ablaze by her husband and in-laws at their residence in Greater Noida’s Sirsa village on Thursday. Mr. Vipin was arrested on Saturday and taken to the family home to recover evidence when he allegedly tried to escape custody.

“He snatched an officer’s pistol and opened fire. In retaliatory firing, he suffered a bullet injury to his leg,” said Sudhir Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Greater Noida.

The accused was later shifted to a hospital, where he told reporters he had “no remorse”. “I have not done anything. She died on her own. Fights between husband and wife happen everywhere. It’s not a big deal,” he said.

Hours after Mr. Vipin’s arrest, the police apprehended Daya, Nikki’s mother-in-law. Her brother-in-law and father-in-law remain at large.

Demands galore

The police were informed of Nikki’s death by Fortis Hospital on August 21, after which her sister Kanchan lodged a complaint naming Mr. Vipin, his brother Rohit, mother Ms. Daya, and father Satveer for domestic violence.

The FIR includes charges under Sections 103(1) (murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Ms. Kanchan said she and Nikki, married to two brothers in 2016, were routinely harassed for dowry. “We were beaten and tortured for days. They were demanding ₹36 lakh,” she told reporters.

She said their parents had given an SUV, a motorcycle, cash, and gold at the time of marriage and continued to send gifts on Karwa Chauth, yet the demands did not stop.

Nikki’s father Bhikari Singh Payla told The Hindu: “My daughter died many deaths while being married to him. Now she is gone. He should have been shot in the chest, and the other family members should be hanged.”