Who Was Surendra Koli? The Nithari Case Accused Found Dead in Haridwar
Surendra Koli, primary accused in the 2006 Nithari killings, died by hanging inside his Haridwar tea stall on Friday, September 18. Released after Supreme Court curative petition relief, police are investigating the death alongside background from the 19 nodal cases. Officials confirmed the deceased is Koli, native to Mangrukhal village in Almora district's Bhikiasain area.
Surendra Koli, the primary accused in the 2006 Nithari killings case, died by suicide as his body was found hanging inside a tea stall he operated in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar on Friday, September 18, police confirmed.
Incident and Discovery
Police reported that Koli’s body was found hanging from a rope inside a tea stall located opposite the Lalmata Temple on Sapt Sarovar Road in the Bhupatwala area of north Haridwar. Nithari Killings: Supreme Court Acquits Surinder Koli in Last Pending Case, Orders Release.
A team from the Saptarishi police outpost secured the scene, took possession of the body, and commenced an inquiry. Officials confirmed the deceased is Koli, native to Mangrukhal village in Almora district's Bhikiasain area. Family members have been notified, and all angles surrounding the death are under investigation.
Background of the Nithari Case
The 2006 Nithari case unfolded in Noida Sector-31 after missing children's remains were recovered from a drain outside businessman Mohinder Singh Pandher’s residence, dubbed the "House of Horrors". Investigations centred on allegations of child and young women abductions, s*xual assault, cannibalism, and organ harvesting. Out of 19 cases lodged against domestic worker Koli and employer Pandher in 2007:
- The CBI filed closure reports in 3 cases due to insufficient evidence.
- Koli was acquitted in 3 of the remaining 16 cases, while a death sentence in one matter was commuted to life imprisonment.
In November 2025, the Supreme Court allowed Koli's curative petition and set him free, effectively concluding a multi-year legal saga marked by wide public scrutiny and trial debates. Following his release, reports indicate Koli had been managing the Haridwar tea stall in recent days.
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Helpline Numbers:
Tele Manas (Ministry of Health) – 14416 or 1800 891 4416; NIMHANS – + 91 80 26995000 /5100 /5200 /5300 /5400; Peak Mind – 080-456 87786; Vandrevala Foundation – 9999 666 555; Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline – 080-23655557; iCALL – 022-25521111 and 9152987821; COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ) – 0832-2252525.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2026 03:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
