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Surendra Koli’s brother has sought a high-level probe into his death in Haridwar, questioning the suicide theory and citing blood stains and a rope around his neck.
Nithari case accused Surendra Koli was found dead in his tea shop, in Haridwar. (Photo: PTI)
The death of Surendra Koli, the prime accused in the 2006 Nithari serial killings who was acquitted in all 13 cases before his release from prison last year, has come under fresh scrutiny after his brother sought a high-level probe, questioning the circumstances in which he was found hanging at a tea stall in Haridwar.
Chandan Koli, Koli’s brother, submitted a complaint at the Saptarishi police outpost in Haridwar on Sunday, alleging that the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death were suspicious.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Chandan said family members who saw Koli’s body on Saturday noticed blood coming from the body, as well as blood stains around his mouth and nose.
He also pointed to a rope tied around Koli’s neck.
Brother Questions Surendra Koli’s Suicide Theory
According to the report, Chandan said that the circumstances had led the family to doubt whether Koli had died by suicide.
He demanded a detailed investigation to establish what happened and sought legal action if anyone was found responsible.
At A Glance
Chandan Koli questioned the suicide theory and sought a high-level probe into his brother’s death.
The family said they noticed blood stains around Koli’s mouth and nose and a rope tied around his neck.
Police said the death prima facie appeared to be suicide and are examining CCTV footage while awaiting the post-mortem report.
“On Saturday, when we saw the body, blood was flowing, and blood stains were spotted on the mouth and nose. A rope was also tied around the neck. This does not seem to be a suicide case, so I demand a high-level probe in this regard so that due legal action can be taken against the one who committed such a crime,” Chandan was quoted as saying.
Police, however, have maintained that the investigation was at an initial stage and that the exact cause of death will be established after the post-mortem report.
Circle Officer (City) Shishupal Singh Negi told HT that the circumstances appeared prima facie to indicate suicide, while stressing that the investigation was continuing.
“Initial probe is going on. The post-mortem report is awaited. Prima facie, the death appears to be a suicide case, but only after the post-mortem report can the exact reason be established,” Negi said.
Police were also examining CCTV footage from the Saptarishi area, including footage from the vicinity of the tea stall where Koli was found dead, to establish the sequence of events before his death.
Koli Found Hanging At Tea Stall
Koli was found hanging inside his rented tea stall on Sapt Sarovar Road in Haridwar on Friday. Police had said they received information about a man allegedly hanging himself at the tea shop, following which a forensic team reached the spot.
Negi had told PTI that Koli had been living in Haridwar for some time and was running the tea stall on rent.
Police had said that, at that stage, the circumstances appeared to indicate suicide, while panchanama and post-mortem proceedings were initiated.
Koli’s body was subsequently handed over to his family after the post-mortem examination, and his last rites were performed at the Kharkhari cremation ground on Saturday, PTI reported.
Family members present included Koli’s brother Harish Koli and his 20-year-old son, Shivam. Former zila panchayat member Narayan Singh Rawat was also present.
Rawat had demanded an impartial investigation after the cremation, saying it should be established whether Koli had died by suicide or whether it was a case of murder.
Police Probe Koli’s Life In Haridwar
PTI reported that police have begun examining Koli’s activities since he arrived in Haridwar. Police found that he had been living there under a false identity for around four to five months.
During this period, Koli reportedly worked as a security guard at two or three locations but changed jobs because he feared his actual identity could be exposed when employers sought identification documents.
Police were also questioning people who had employed Koli and those who helped him rent the tea stall, according to PTI.
The tea stall had allegedly been rented only four days before his death from a man named Anil Sharma, with Koli using the alias “Sadaram”.
His actual identity was reportedly established after police found his Aadhaar card and voter ID during a search following his death.
Police have denied reports of a dispute between Sharma and Koli over the shop.
Dharmendra Kaushik, a local who helped Koli secure the tea stall, told PTI that Koli had spoken to his family over the phone a day before his death.
According to Kaushik, Koli was stressed about his son’s birthday and had argued with family members during that conversation.
From Nithari Convict To Acquittal In All 13 Cases
Koli was at the centre of the Nithari killings that came to light in 2006 after skeletal remains, skulls and bones of children and women were discovered in and around the bungalow of businessman Moninder Singh Pandher in Sector 31, Noida.
Koli had worked as a domestic help at Pandher’s residence.
Koli was arrested in 2006 and was subsequently convicted in several cases related to the Nithari killings.
However, he was ultimately acquitted in all 13 cases. PTI reported that the Supreme Court allowed his petition in the final pending case in November 2025, after which he walked out of Luksar Jail on November 11, 2025.
Luksar Jail Superintendent Brajesh Singh told PTI that Koli had spent about 14 months at the jail, from September 2024 until his release, and that his behaviour there was normal.
“His behaviour was normal while he was in jail. We did not find anything wrong in his behaviour,” Singh said.
His death has also prompted questions from the family of one of the Nithari victims.
Jhabbu Lal, whose 15-year-old daughter was among those killed, alleged that Koli had been murdered and questioned the suicide theory. Lal speculated that Koli may have been about to disclose important information, while his wife, Sunita Devi, also called for an investigation into his death.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Chandan Koli and other family members questioned the suicide angle after observing blood flowing from the body, blood stains around the mouth and nose, and a rope tied tightly around Surendra Koli’s neck.
Ask News18About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
September 21, 2026, 07:41 IST
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