Surendra Koli Death: Post-Mortem Report Confirms Nithari Case Acquittee Died by Hanging
Surendra Koli, the sole convict in the 2006 Nithari killings who was later acquitted in all 13 cases, died by suicide on Sept. 18 after hanging himself from a ceiling fan in his Haridwar tea stall. According to his post-mortem report, Koli died by hanging. Police cite personal stress, financial hardship, and a concealed identity. Scroll below to know more.
Surendra Koli, the sole convict in the 2006 Nithari killings who was later acquitted in all 13 cases, died by suicide on September 18 after hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his tea stall in Haridwar’s Saptarishi area, police said on Wednesday, September 23.
Post-Mortem and Investigation Findings
According to Haridwar City Circle Officer Shishupal Singh Negi, the post-mortem report confirms that Koli died from hanging, reports PTI.
- Physical Findings: Clear ligature marks were found around Koli's neck, with no other external injury marks detected on his body.
- Scene Analysis: Investigators noted that the suspension rope appeared to have snapped under Koli's weight, causing him to fall to the ground, which likely led to post-fall bleeding from his mouth and nose.
- CCTV Verification: Police reviewed surveillance footage from the immediate area and found no signs of suspicious activity. Who Was Surendra Koli? The Nithari Case Accused Found Dead in Haridwar.
Financial Hardship and Concealed Identity
Authorities are closely examining personal stress and financial distress as primary factors leading up to the incident. Police revealed that Koli had arrived in Haridwar approximately a month prior, staying briefly at a Bengaluru church and with legal representatives beforehand. Living under a concealed identity, he faced severe day-to-day struggles:
- Employment Hurdles: Koli repeatedly had to quit jobs because he could not provide mandatory identity verification documents or complete local processing procedures.
- Business Struggles: Having shifted rooms four times within a short duration due to extreme living conditions, he recently borrowed INR 5,000 to set up a tea stall, which he opened just three to four days prior to his death.
In response to the developments, Koli's family members have questioned the circumstances of his death and called for an impartial inquiry.
Background of the Nithari Case
The Nithari tragedy surfaced in October 2006 when gruesome discoveries of skeletal remains, skulls, and bones were uncovered in drains and the backyard of a bungalow in Sector 31, Noida, belonging to businessman Moninder Singh Pandher. Koli was employed as a domestic help at the residence. The revelations of multiple missing children and women triggered nationwide outrage. While co-accused Moninder Singh Pandher was acquitted and released from custody in October 2023, Koli faced extensive legal proceedings. He was ultimately acquitted by the Supreme Court in 2025 across the remaining cases, concluding a nearly two-decade legal battle.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2026 07:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
