Surinder Koli, who was acquitted in the last remaining case linked to the 2006 Nithari killings, was found dead at his tea stall in Haridwar on September 18. Police said preliminary evidence indicates suicide, while an investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances of his death.Koli had been living in Haridwar for several months after walking out of jail following his final acquittal by the Supreme Court in November 2025. His death has brought renewed attention to the long-running Nithari killings case and its complex legal history. Police have informed his family, and a forensic examination and post-mortem process are being conducted as part of the investigation.What Happened To Surinder Koli?Koli was found dead inside the rented tea stall he had been operating in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Police said no suicide note was recovered from the location. The circumstances are being investigated, and the preliminary police assessment points towards suicide. His death came less than a year after the Supreme Court cleared him in the final pending Nithari-related case.Koli was found dead at his Haridwar tea stall on September 18.Police said the preliminary investigation indicates suicide.No suicide note had been recovered, according to police.He had spent nearly 19 years in custody over the Nithari cases.The Supreme Court acquitted him in the final pending case in November 2025.Nithari Killings Case BackgroundThe Nithari killings came to light in December 2006 after human remains were discovered in a drain near a house in Nithari, Noida. Surinder Koli, who worked as a domestic help for businessman Moninder Singh Pandher, became a central accused in the investigation. Multiple cases involving alleged murders and sexual offences were registered.Koli was convicted and sentenced to death in several cases, but those convictions were subsequently challenged. The Allahabad High Court acquitted him in multiple cases in 2023, while the Supreme Court in July 2025 upheld the acquittals of Koli and Moninder Singh Pandher in several remaining matters. Koli still faced one final case at that stage.Also Read: Gurugram Hit-and-Run: Sia Family Seeks Arrest of Two More AccusedSupreme Court Cleared Final CaseIn November 2025, the Supreme Court allowed Koli's curative petition and set aside his conviction in the last pending Nithari-related case. The court recalled its earlier judgment that had upheld his conviction and ordered his release if he was not required in another matter. This ended the criminal proceedings against Koli arising from the Nithari killings.After his release, Koli moved to Haridwar and began running a small tea stall. Reports said he had been living in the city for several months before his death. Police have not announced a final conclusion about the circumstances, and the investigation remains underway.Key HighlightsSurinder Koli was found dead in Haridwar on September 18.Police said the preliminary evidence points to suicide.No suicide note was found at the tea stall.Koli was acquitted in the final Nithari case by the Supreme Court in 2025.He had spent around 19 years in custody connected to the case.The police investigation into his death is continuing.ConclusionSurinder Koli's death marks a new development in the long-running Nithari killings case, which began attracting national attention in 2006. Although he faced multiple convictions during the case, the Supreme Court ultimately acquitted him in the final pending matter in November 2025. Police are now investigating his death in Haridwar, with preliminary findings indicating suicide. The exact circumstances will depend on the ongoing forensic and police inquiry.Disclaimer: This article is provided for news and knowledge purposes only.
