2 hrs ago
Nithari Case Acquitted Surendra Koli Found Dead in Haridwar
Surendra Koli was found dead inside a tea stall in Haridwar.
Police said he appeared to have died by suicide, but they are still investigating.
No suicide note was found.
Koli had been working at the stall and living in Haridwar.
He had earlier been accused in the Nithari killings case in Noida.
He was a domestic worker for businessman Moninder Singh Pandher.
Courts later said the evidence against Koli was not strong enough to prove his guilt.
The Supreme Court released him from his last case in November 2025.
Surendra Koli, acquitted in all Nithari killings cases, was found hanging inside a tea stall in Haridwar on September 18, 2026.
Police said the stall was opposite Lalmata Temple on Sapt Sarovar Road in the Bhupatwala area.
Koli had reportedly been living in Haridwar for several months and had arrived at the stall for work days before his death.
No suicide note was found, and police informed his relatives in Almora while investigating the circumstances.
The Supreme Court set aside Koli’s final conviction in November 2025 after earlier acquittals in 12 related cases.
- Who
- Surendra Koli, a former domestic worker and accused in the Nithari killings case.
- What
- He was found hanging inside a tea stall in what police described as an apparent suicide; the circumstances remain under investigation.
- Where
- A tea stall opposite Lalmata Temple on Sapt Sarovar Road in Bhupatwala, Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
- When
- Friday, September 18, 2026.
- Why
- The exact reason for his death has not been established. Reports mentioned a possible family-related issue, but police had not confirmed a motive.
Prosecution Position
Court Findings
Evidence against Koli
Prosecution Position
Koli was prosecuted and convicted in multiple cases involving the alleged abduction, rape and murder of children and young women; prosecutors relied in part on his confession and alleged recoveries.
Court Findings
The Allahabad High Court and Supreme Court found serious shortcomings in the investigation and questioned the reliability, admissibility and evidentiary links involving the confession, recoveries and forensic material.
Standard of proof
Prosecution Position
The prosecution pursued convictions and challenged the acquittals before the Supreme Court, along with the Uttar Pradesh government and victims’ families.
Court Findings
The courts held that the prosecution had not proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt and reiterated that serious suspicion could not replace proof.
Responsibility for the reported death
Prosecution Position
Initial reports described the death as an apparent suicide and mentioned a possible family-related issue.
Court Findings
Police had not established the exact cause or motive; no suicide note was found and the investigation was continuing.
Key facts
- Age at death
- Not stated in the articles.
- Location
- Bhupatwala, Haridwar, opposite Lalmata Temple.
- Police action
- The Sapt Rishi police outpost began an investigation, informed Koli’s relatives and sent the body for autopsy.
- Suicide note
- No suicide note was found at the tea stall.
- Nithari case origin
- The case emerged in December 2006 after human remains were found near House D-5 in Nithari, Noida.
- 2023 ruling
- The Allahabad High Court acquitted Koli in 12 Nithari-related cases.
- Final acquittal
- The Supreme Court set aside Koli’s final conviction in November 2025 and ordered his release if he was not wanted in another matter.
Quotes
Supreme Court
India’s highest court, which acquitted Surinder Koli in 2025.
“suspicion, however grave, cannot replace proof beyond reasonable doubt.”
NDTV
Sources
Surendra Koli, acquitted by Supreme Court in Nithari serial killings, dies by suicide
Nithari case accused Surendra Koli dies by suicide in Haridwar months after SC acquittal
Surinder Koli, Acquitted In 2006 Nithari Killings Case, Dies by Suicide
Surendra Koli, Acquitted In Nithari Killings Case, Dies By Suicide
Nithari Case: Acquitted Surendra Koli Found Dead At Haridwar Tea Stall, Probe Underway
Nithari Killings Accused Surendra Koli Dies By Suicide, Found Hanging At Tea Shop In Haridwar
Nithari Case: Surendra Koli Found Dead In His Haridwar Tea Shop
Surendra Koli, Main Accused In 2006 Nithari Serial Killings Case, Dies By Suicide In His Haridwar Tea Shop
Who Was Surendra Koli, The Nithari Case Accused, Who Allegedly Died By Suicide In Haridwar?
Surendra Koli, 2006 Nithari Serial Killings Accused, Commits Suicide In Haridwar









