Surendra Koli Found Dead in Haridwar: From Nithari Killings Acquittal to Reported Suicide

Surendra Koli, the central figure in the 2006 Nithari killings, was found dead inside a tea stall in Haridwar’s Saprishi area on Friday, 18 September 2026. Local police are treating the death as a suicide, although official forensic reports are still pending. This event occurs less than a year after the Supreme Court acquitted him of all charges in a case that remains one of India's most horrific crime sagas.

The Nithari Case and Legal Journey

In 2006, Surendra Koli and his employer, Moninder Singh Pandher, were accused of carrying out multiple murders at a bungalow in Noida’s Nithari village. The case involved the murder and mutilation of several children, with victims' bones discovered in the vicinity. The investigation sparked national outrage, partly due to allegations that police had ignored complaints from parents of missing children from poor families [2].

Koli's legal battle spanned nearly two decades. He was the prime accused in 13 murder cases and narrowly escaped execution twice before the legal tide turned. In November 2025, the Supreme Court acquitted him in all 13 cases, and he walked free in December 2025 after spending 19 years in prison [2].

Life After Acquittal: Fake Identities and a Tea Stall

Following his release, Koli sought to disappear from public view. According to police sources, he moved to Haridwar shortly after his acquittal, where he initially worked as a security guard for a private firm using a fake identity [1].

He later transitioned into a small business, operating a tea stall in the Saprishi area of the city. It was within this stall that he was discovered dead on 18 September 2026. Haridwar City Deputy Superintendent of Police Shishupal Singh Negi confirmed the location of the death, noting Koli had been operating the stall for only a few days [1].

Timeline of Events

Period/Date	Event
2006	Nithari killings uncovered; Koli and Moninder Singh Pandher arrested.
2006–2025	Koli spends 19 years in prison; faces multiple death sentences.
Nov–Dec 2025	Supreme Court acquits Koli in all 13 cases; he is released.
Early 2026	Moves to Haridwar; works as security guard under fake identity.
Sept 18, 2026	Found dead in his tea stall in Saprishi, Haridwar; suspected suicide.