Surinder Koli, acquitted in Nithari killings case, dies by suicide in Haridwar

Surinder Koli, who was once labelled the “Monster of Nithari” in connection with the 2006 Nithari killings, has died by suicide in Haridwar. Koli had been acquitted by the Supreme Court after years of legal proceedings in the case.

Koli, who had been living in Haridwar for the past few months, was working as a tea vendor. Police said he was found dead at his rented tea stall near Lalmata Temple on Sapt Sarovar Road.

Police begin investigation

The Sapt Rishi police outpost, under City Kotwali, received information about a man found dead at a tea stall opposite the Lalmata Temple. Police reached the spot and identified him as Koli.

Preliminary investigation showed that Koli had been living in Haridwar for some time and was running the tea stall from a rented premises. Police said no suicide note was found at the shop.

His family in Almora has been informed, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is underway.

Nithari killings case

The Nithari case came to light in December 2006 after police recovered 16 human skulls, bones and clothing from plastic sacks near a drain behind the D-5 bungalow in Sector 31, Noida.

The area had seen complaints about missing children, many of them from poor labour families living in nearby Nithari village. The investigation eventually led police to the D-5 house, which belonged to businessman Moninder Singh Pandher. Koli worked there as domestic help.

Koli and Pandher were arrested and later faced charges including rape, murder and destruction of evidence. The CBI filed 19 cases between 2007 and 2010. Koli was sentenced to death in several cases, while Pandher received death and life sentences in different cases.

Courts later questioned the evidence

As the cases moved through the courts, questions were raised over inconsistencies and lapses in the investigation.

The Allahabad High Court acquitted Koli and Pandher in October 2023, citing lack of credible evidence. The CBI, Uttar Pradesh government and families of the victims challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.

In 2025, the Supreme Court also acquitted Koli of all charges. While acknowledging the “heinous nature” of the crimes, the court said that “suspicion, however grave, cannot replace proof beyond reasonable doubt.”

Koli had remained free after his acquittal and had been living in Haridwar before his death.