Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Nithari Case Accused Surendra Koli Dies; Father Alleges Murder
Surendra Koli was once accused in the Nithari killings case.
He was found hanging at a tea stall in Haridwar on Friday.
Police said it initially looked like suicide, but they are still investigating.
The body was sent for official examination.
Jhabbu Lal, whose daughter was one of the victims, believes Koli was murdered.
He says Koli may have been about to share important information.
Lal also believes Moninder Singh Pandher was more responsible than Koli.
Courts eventually acquitted Koli in all 13 cases connected to Nithari.
The Supreme Court of India said that suspicion alone was not enough to prove guilt.
Surendra Koli was found hanging at a rented tea stall in Haridwar on Friday.
Police said the death appeared prima facie to be suicide, while forensic and post-mortem procedures are underway.
Jhabbu Lal, whose 15-year-old daughter was a Nithari victim, alleged that Koli was murdered.
Lal claimed Koli was preparing to reveal important information and said Moninder Singh Pandher was the main culprit.
Koli was acquitted in all 13 Nithari-related cases, with the Supreme Court of India clearing him in the final case in 2025.
- Who
- Surendra Koli died; Jhabbu Lal alleged that he was murdered.
- What
- Koli was found hanging, and police are investigating whether the death was suicide or involved foul play.
- When
- Friday, September 18, 2026.
- Where
- A rented tea stall on Sapt Sarovar Road in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
- Why
- The cause of death has not been conclusively established; Lal alleges Koli was killed before revealing important information.
Murder Allegation
Preliminary Suicide Assessment
Cause of death
Murder Allegation
Jhabbu Lal alleged that Koli was murdered and said he may have been killed before disclosing important information.
Preliminary Suicide Assessment
Police said the scene appeared prima facie to indicate suicide, while forensic and post-mortem examinations were still pending.
Responsibility in the Nithari case
Murder Allegation
Lal said Koli was not the main culprit and identified his former employer, Moninder Singh Pandher, as the main accused.
Preliminary Suicide Assessment
The courts acquitted Koli in all 13 connected cases, and the Supreme Court of India said conviction could not rest on conjecture, hunch or suspicion.
- Age of victim referenced
- Jhabbu Lal's daughter was 15 years old when identified as a Nithari victim.
- Location of death
- A rented tea stall on Sapt Sarovar Road, Haridwar.
- Police assessment
- The death appeared prima facie to be suicide.
- Investigation status
- Forensic examination, panchanama, post-mortem proceedings and police investigation were underway.
- Nithari case
- Skeletal remains, skulls and bones were recovered near Moninder Singh Pandher's bungalow in Noida in 2006.
- Court outcome
- Koli was acquitted in all 13 cases linked to the incident; the final acquittal came from the Supreme Court of India in 2025.