The Supreme Court has acquitted Surendra Koli, the prime accused in the Nithari serial killings, after 18 years. The verdict overturns his conviction, marking a dramatic twist in one of India’s most chilling criminal cases.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has acquitted Surendra Koli, one of the main accused in the Nithari serial killings, a case that had horrified the nation nearly two decades ago.
Delivering its verdict in Surendra Koli v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Another, the apex court said:
“For the reasons recorded, the curative petition is allowed. The judgment of the Allahabad High Court is set aside. The petitioner has been acquitted, and all sentences imposed have been set aside. The accused is to be released immediately.”
The ruling effectively overturns Koli’s multiple death sentences and years of incarceration linked to the shocking crimes that unfolded in Noida’s Nithari village between 2005 and 2006.
Earlier, on October 7, the Supreme Court of India reserved its verdict on a curative petition filed by Surendra Koli, a prime accused in the Nithari murders of 2005–2006, seeking to overturn his conviction in the killing of a 15-year-old girl.
Koli’s conviction in this particular case had been upheld by the apex court in 2011, but after his acquittal in 12 other related cases by the Allahabad High Court, he approached the Supreme Court once again earlier this year.
During the brief hearing, a bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, along with Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath, observed that the curative petition “deserved to be allowed.” The Court noted that Koli’s conviction was based mainly on a single statement and the recovery of a kitchen knife, pointing out the inconsistency given his acquittals in the other cases.
CJI Gavai remarked that the matter “deserves to be allowed in a minute,” and in a lighter exchange with Additional Solicitor General Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare, quipped, “Let Delhi pollution not pollute you.”
Background
The Nithari serial killings case is one of the most gruesome criminal cases in Indian history. The horror came to light on December 29, 2006, when skeletal remains of eight children were discovered in a drain behind a house in Nithari, Noida. Further investigations revealed more skeletal remains in the vicinity, most of which belonged to children and young women from impoverished backgrounds who had gone missing.
Investigation and Arrests:
The initial investigation was conducted by the local police, but the severity and scope of the crimes prompted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over within ten days. The primary accused were Surendra Koli, a domestic helper, and Moninder Singh Pandher, the owner of the house where the remains were found. Koli was accused of committing the murders and acts of cannibalism, while Pandher was accused of involvement in the crimes and abetting Koli.
Legal Proceedings:
The trial began amidst intense public scrutiny and media coverage. Koli was convicted in multiple cases related to the murders and was sentenced to death by the trial court. Pandher, on the other hand, faced varied outcomes in different cases. In some instances, he was acquitted due to lack of evidence, while in others, he was convicted but later acquitted on appeal.
High Court Verdict:
On October 16, 2023, the Allahabad High Court acquitted Surendra Koli in one of the cases related to the Nithari killings. This verdict was a significant development, as it overturned previous convictions and raised questions about the handling and investigation of the case. The High Court’s decision was challenged by the CBI, leading to the current proceedings in the Supreme Court.
Case Title:
SURENDRA KOLI vs. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH
Diary No. – 49297/2025
READ JUDGMENT
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Nithari Serial Killings
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
