Nithari Killings Accused Surendra Koli Dies By Suicide, Found Hanging At Tea Shop In Haridwar

Last Updated:September 18, 2026, 1:44 PM IST

According to police, Koli had been living in Haridwar for the past few months and was running a tea stall on the road

According to police, Koli had been living in Haridwar for the past few months. (Image: PTI)

Surendra Koli, who was acquitted in all the criminal cases related to the 2006 Nithari killings, has allegedly died by suicide in Haridwar, according to initial information. Koli was found hanging at a tea stall on Sapt Sarovar Road, opposite Lal Mata Temple, in the northern part of the city on Thursday, with police launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to police, Koli had been living in Haridwar for the past few months and was running a tea stall on the road. He was originally from Mangrukhala village in the Bhikiyasen area of Almora district, Uttarakhand. Police have informed his family about the death.

City Kotwal Kundan Singh Rana said Koli had been an accused in the Nithari case. Police said no suicide note was recovered from the spot and investigators are examining the circumstances from all possible angles. Further details, including the exact cause and circumstances of death, are awaited.

Koli’s death comes less than a year after the Supreme Court brought an end to the criminal proceedings against him in the Nithari cases. On November 11, 2025, the Supreme Court allowed his curative petition and set aside his conviction in the last pending case linked to the killings. A bench headed by then Chief Justice of India BR Gavai noted that Koli had already been acquitted in 12 other cases and ordered his immediate release, provided he was not required in any other case.

The Nithari killings had come to light in December 2006 after skeletal remains of children were recovered from a drain behind businessman Moninder Singh Pandher’s house in Nithari, Noida. The case triggered widespread public outrage and led to a prolonged legal battle involving Koli and Pandher.

Koli had initially faced convictions in multiple cases related to the killings. However, courts subsequently acquitted him in a series of cases. The Supreme Court’s November 2025 order in the final pending case effectively ended the criminal proceedings against him in connection with the Nithari killings.

The circumstances of his death in Haridwar are now under investigation. Police are expected to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances surrounding the death through the investigation and postmortem examination.

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What happened to Nithari killings accused Surendra Koli in Haridwar?

Surendra Koli, who was acquitted in all criminal cases related to the 2006 Nithari killings, allegedly died by suicide in Haridwar. He was found hanging at a tea stall he was running on Sapt Sarovar Road in the northern part of the city. Police have launched an investigation into his death, and initial inquiries suggest family disputes may have been a factor.

When was Surendra Koli acquitted of the Nithari killings charges?

Surendra Koli’s criminal proceedings officially ended on November 11, 2025, when the Supreme Court allowed his curative petition and set aside his conviction in his last pending case. Prior to this final ruling, Koli had already been acquitted in 12 other cases related to the Nithari killings, leading to his release.

What was the origin of the Nithari killings case involving Surendra Koli?

The Nithari killings case came to light in December 2006 after the skeletal remains of children were discovered in a drain behind the house of businessman Moninder Singh Pandher in Nithari, Noida. Surendra Koli, who worked there, initially faced convictions in multiple cases related to the killings before eventually being acquitted of all charges.

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Pragati Ratti

Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures…Read More

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