Supreme Court Reserves Verdict in Surendra Koli Nithari Case

Noida: The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the curative petition filed by Surendra Koli, challenging his conviction and death sentence in one of the infamous Nithari murder cases. The bench, headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai along with Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath, observed that Koli’s plea “deserves to be allowed,” hinting at a possible significant development in the case.

The Nithari murders, which shocked the nation, came to light on December 29, 2006, with the discovery of skeletal remains of eight children from a drain behind the house of businessman Moninder Singh Pandher in Noida’s Nithari village. Subsequent searches unearthed more remains, mostly belonging to poor children and young women who had gone missing from nearby areas.

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During Tuesday’s hearing, the Supreme Court highlighted the anomalous situation arising from Koli’s acquittal in all other related cases. Chief Justice Gavai remarked, “This matter deserves to be allowed,” while reserving the verdict.

If the curative petition is allowed, Surendra Koli, already acquitted in several Nithari cases, could be released. The court noted that Koli’s conviction was largely based on a statement and the recovery of a kitchen knife, raising questions about the sufficiency of evidence.

In a lighter moment during the proceedings, the CJI shared a brief exchange with Additional Solicitor General Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare, noting, “I have a very good impression of you in Bombay. Let Delhi pollution not pollute you.”

Koli was originally convicted for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Nithari. The Supreme Court upheld his conviction in February 2011. His review petition was dismissed in 2014, and in January 2015, the Allahabad High Court commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment, citing delays in deciding his mercy petition.

In October 2023, the Allahabad High Court acquitted Koli and co-accused Pandher in multiple other Nithari cases, overturning the death sentences issued by the trial court in 2017. Koli was acquitted in 12 cases and Pandher in two. The CBI and some victims’ families had challenged these acquittals, but the Supreme Court dismissed all 14 appeals on July 30 this year, terming the Allahabad High Court’s judgment “not perverse.”

In total, 19 cases were lodged against Pandher and Koli in 2007. The CBI closed three cases citing lack of evidence, acquitted Koli in three others, and commuted his death sentence in one to life imprisonment.

The Nithari case remains one of the most horrifying serial murder cases in India, highlighting systemic lapses and the long legal battle surrounding justice for the victims. The reserved verdict on Koli’s curative petition now holds the attention of the nation, potentially concluding a legal journey spanning nearly two decades.