India, Aug. 25 -- After 28-year-old Nikki Bhati's horrific murder allegedly by her husband and in-laws, dowry as a fatal flaw in society has made headlines again.

Nikki's father, Bhikari Singh Payla, cited "community traditions" and "social norms" to explain why he agreed to dowry at the time of marriage, and why his daughter had to keep going back to the violent household despite frequent disputes.

He also blamed her mother-in-law, who has been arrested too, as "the mastermind of the entire incident". He told news agency ANI, "It is the duty of the mother, as well as the father, to ensure the children stay together. But she, rather than making them stay together, upset their relationship."

Nikki Bhati's family has said they gave "gift...