The Nithari case first shocked the nation in December 2006, when several human skeletons and body parts were discovered in a drain near House D-5, Nithari village in Noida.
Published: November 11, 2025 12:42 PM IST
The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Surendra Koli in one of the murder and rape cases linked to the infamous Nithari killings that took place in Noida between 2005 and 2006. The apex court allowed Koli’s curative petition, overturning his conviction and death sentence in the final pending case. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath delivered the verdict, stating: “The petitioner is acquitted of the charges. The petitioner shall be released forthwith,” Justice Vikram Nath announced while pronouncing the judgment.
Koli’s earlier conviction, upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2011 for the murder of a 15-year-old girl, came under review after he was acquitted by the Allahabad High Court in the remaining 12 cases last year. The top court observed that his conviction in this particular case was primarily based on a statement and recovery of a kitchen knife, which it found insufficient for sustaining the death sentence.
During an earlier hearing on October 7, the court had expressed concern over the inconsistency of Koli being acquitted in multiple cases while convicted in one based on weak evidence, calling it an “anomalous situation.”
The Nithari case first shocked the nation in December 2006, when several human skeletons and body parts were discovered in a drain near House D-5, Nithari village in Noida. Investigations revealed that the house belonged to Moninder Singh Pandher, with Surendra Koli working as his domestic help.
The CBI later took over the probe and filed multiple chargesheets, accusing Koli of murder, abduction, rape, and destruction of evidence, while Pandher was charged in a related immoral trafficking case.
Koli was subsequently sentenced to death in over ten cases, but with Tuesday’s order, the Supreme Court has now set aside his final conviction, paving the way for his release after nearly two decades behind bars.
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