Surinder Koli, Nithari Case Accused, Found Dead in Haridwar

Surinder Koli, the primary accused in the infamous 2006 Nithari killings, was found dead on September 18, 2026, in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Koli, 53, was discovered hanging inside a tea kiosk he had recently started operating, marking a grim end to a man who had spent nearly two decades in prison before a recent legal victory.

Attempted New Identity as 'Sada Ram'

Following his release from prison, Koli attempted to distance himself from his past by living under a pseudonym. To rent his tea kiosk for ₹6,000 per month, he used a voter ID card bearing the name 'Sada Ram'. Locals in Haridwar predominantly knew him by this alias, unaware of his connection to the Nithari case.

His true identity was only revealed after his death when police recovered an Aadhaar card confirming his name as Surinder Koli, listing his address in Noida. Prior to the tea business, Koli had briefly worked as a security guard in the Sidcul area, but he reportedly left that position after his employers requested his Aadhaar card for verification.

Legal Timeline and Acquittal

The Nithari case, often referred to locally as the Nithari kand, involved the gruesome murders of women and children in Noida. Koli, who worked as domestic help for businessman Moninder Singh Pandher, was accused of luring victims and committing cannibalism. After a legal battle spanning 20 years and 13 death sentences, the Supreme Court passed an acquittal order in the final case on November 11, 2025. Koli walked out of Greater Noida's Luksar Jail two days later as a free man.

Conflicting Narratives: Suicide or Foul Play?

While authorities have provided an initial assessment, there are conflicting views regarding the cause of death:

• Police View: Circle Officer Shishupal Singh Negi stated that "Prima facie, it seems to be a case of suicide," noting that no suicide note was found at the scene.
• Activist Claims: Narayan Singh Rawat, a social activist from Almora who had supported Koli's family, suspects murder. Rawat claims Koli had recently complained of financial harassment by individuals linked to a political outfit after Rawat had lent him ₹25,000 to start the business.
• Victim Family Suspicions: The family of one of the minor victims from the original Nithari case has also raised suspicions of foul play and a potential cover-up.

A panel of doctors has been assigned to conduct the postmortem to provide a definitive cause of death.