Surendra Koli, Acquitted in Nithari Killings Case, Found Dead in Haridwar

Haridwar: Surendra Koli, who was acquitted in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case, was found dead at a tea stall in Haridwar, police said.

Koli was found hanging in the Bhupatwala area, where he had been running a small tea stall. Police said the body was recovered from the Saprishii area and sent for forensic examination and autopsy.

Koli had been living in Haridwar for the past few months. He was originally from Bhikiyasen in Almora district. Police have informed his family members.

No suicide note was recovered from the spot.

Haridwar City Circle Officer Sishupal Singh Negi told The Indian Express that preliminary evidence suggested that Koli had died by suicide, while adding that further details would be known after the forensic and post-mortem reports.

The Nithari killings came to light in December 2006 after human remains were found in drains behind a bungalow in Sector 31 of Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The case involved the disappearance and alleged sexual assault and murder of several children and young women from the neighbouring Nithari village.

Koli had worked as a domestic help for businessman Moninder Singh Pandher at the bungalow. Investigators had accused Koli of being the main perpetrator, alleging that he lured victims into the premises before killing them.

Both Koli and Pandher were subsequently acquitted in the cases.