On Friday (18th September), Surendra Koli committed suicide by hanging from his tea shop in Haridwar city of Uttarakhand. He was once called the ‘Monster of Nithari.’
He was an accused in the Nithari serial killings that took place in Noida between 2005 to 2006. Many children had gone missing in that area in those 2 years. Despite multiple complaints by local residents, the police investigation remained slow.
In May 2006, a police complaint was filed by a man about missing daughter, claiming that the victim was last seen near D-5 property. It was owned by a businessman named Moninder Singh Pander. Surendra Koli worked as his house help.
Later in December that year, the remains of 17 dead bodies (most belonging to children) were discovered. Koli and Pander were arrested and it was claimed that the duo raped and murdered children and women.
The case drew massive outrage, which was why it was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Later, more human remains were found in Nithari. A total of 19 FIRs were lodged against the duo. The CBI filed chargesheets and Koli and Pandher were convicted by a special CBI court.
Both of them were sentenced to death. The duo thereafter files appeals against the case before the Allahabad High Court. In October 2023, the court found glaring flaws in the evidence furnished by the prosecution and called the investigation botched.
The Allhahabad High Court noted that the case relied heavily on the confession of Surendra Koli, which was obtained during unathorised police custody and hence remained inadmissible.
As a result, the death sentences were not only overturned but both Moninder Singh Pander and Surendra Koli were acquitted of all charges. Later, the CBI and the Uttar Pradesh government challenged their acquittal before the Supreme Court.
Both were acquitted by the apex court. Surendra Koli finally walked free on 12th November 2025. Thereafter, he moved to Haridwar city and ran a tea stall. Less than a year of his acquittal, Koli took his own life.
