The Supreme Court of India has upheld the acquittal of Surendra Koli in the infamous Nithari killings case, bringing a significant turn in one of the country’s most horrifying criminal sagas. The three-judge bench dismissed 14 appeals filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Uttar Pradesh government, and family members of the victims, all challenging the Allahabad High Court’s decision to overturn Koli’s conviction and death sentence.
The Nithari killings, which took place between 2005 and 2006 in Noida’s Sector 31 near Nithari village, shocked the nation due to the gruesome discovery of skeletal remains of several children and young women in and around the residence of businessman Moninder Singh Pandher. Surendra Koli, Pandher’s domestic help, was accused of kidnapping, sexual assault, murder, and cannibalism. The trial court had convicted both Koli and Pandher in multiple cases, sentencing them to death. However, subsequent appeals and reviews gradually led to their acquittals in several cases due to inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence.
In affirming the Allahabad High Court’s ruling, the Supreme Court observed that the prosecution failed to establish a complete and credible chain of circumstantial evidence. The Court noted that several recoveries of human remains from an open drain near the accused’s house could not be directly linked to Koli. Importantly, the Court highlighted that such recoveries were not made from areas exclusively within the accused’s knowledge or control, a requirement under Section 27 of the Indian Evidence Act. Without valid disclosure statements and clear forensic linkage, the evidence could not conclusively prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The apex court further observed that procedural lapses and investigative irregularities had undermined the credibility of the prosecution’s case. It reiterated the principle that public outrage or the gravity of an offence cannot replace the need for due process and strict adherence to evidentiary rules. Justice, the bench remarked, must be rooted in fairness and legality rather than emotional or societal pressure.
Although Surendra Koli’s acquittal in these twelve cases has been upheld, he continues to serve a life sentence in another related murder case under the same investigation. The verdict, therefore, does not immediately secure his release from prison but represents a major milestone in the long legal battle surrounding the Nithari killings.
The Supreme Court’s judgment underscores the fundamental criminal law principle that every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. It also serves as a reminder to investigative agencies of their obligation to maintain procedural integrity, especially in cases involving grave allegations and public scrutiny. The ruling brings closure to a major chapter in India’s criminal justice history while reinforcing the judiciary’s commitment to fairness, objectivity, and the rule of law.
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