2006 Nithari Case: Surendra Koli Acquitted by Supreme Court, Set to Walk Free

In a major development nearly two decades after the horrific Nithari killings, the Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Surendra Koli, setting aside his conviction and sentence in the 2006 serial murder case. The court ordered his immediate release, subject to no pending cases against him.

Bench Allows Curative Petition

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath passed the order while allowing Koli's curative petition challenging his conviction and death sentence in one of the Nithari murder cases.

With this ruling, Koli will now walk free, having already been acquitted in all other Nithari cases over the years. His acquittal marks the end of a long legal battle that began after one of the most gruesome crimes in the country's history.

The Shocking Nithari Killings

The Nithari case first came to light on December 29, 2006, when skeletal remains of at least eight children were discovered from a drain behind the home of businessman Moninder Singh Pandher in Nithari village, Noida. The chilling discoveries sparked nationwide outrage and prompted multiple investigations into allegations of kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder.

Koli, who worked as a domestic help at Pandher's residence, was accused and convicted in several of the cases. He was initially sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl, a verdict upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2011.

Long Legal Journey

After years of appeals, Koli's review petition was dismissed in 2014. However, in January 2015, the Allahabad High Court commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment, citing significant delays in the decision on his mercy plea.

The turning point came in October 2023, when the Allahabad High Court acquitted both Koli and Pandher in several other Nithari cases. The court overturned multiple death sentences handed down by the trial court in 2017, acquitting Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in two.

Final Closure in a Notorious Case

Following those acquittals, the CBI and victims' families filed appeals before the Supreme Court. However, the top court dismissed all 14 appeals on July 30, 2024.

Tuesday's verdict now brings a conclusive end to one of India's most chilling criminal sagas. With his curative petition accepted and conviction overturned, Surendra Koli is set to be released from prison, nearly 19 years after the Nithari horror first shocked the nation.