In the Nithari murder case, Surendra Koli, who is serving life imprisonment, seems likely to be coming out. In 12 cases, the acquitted coli is in jail due to being guilty in just one case. Now the Supreme Court has reserved the order on his curative petition saying that it is a case to accept in 1 minute.
What is the matter?
On 29 December 2006, 8 children were found skeletons from the drain behind Moninder Singh Pandher’s house in Nithari, Noida. Later, many more skeletons were found in search and excavation of drains around the house. A total of 19 cases were registered against Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Surendra Koli. Pandher was punished in 2 cases. But Koli was punished by the lower court in a total of 13 cases.
Relief in most cases
The Allahabad High Court verdict came on 16 October 2023. The High Court acquitted Koli in 12 cases. Pandher was also acquitted in both the cases against him. On July 30 this year, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision to acquit Koli and Pandher.
Punishment found in only 1 case
The trial in the Rimpa Haldar murder case involved in the Nithari murder case had moved beyond the rest of the cases. The lower court, the High Court and the Supreme Court sentenced Koli to death in the case. His reconsideration petition was also rejected by the Supreme Court. However, the hanging was converted into life imprisonment on the basis of delay in settlement of mercy petition in 2015. Due to this, he is still in jail.
What did the Supreme Court say now
Surendra Koli filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court citing the acquittal in all other cases. On Tuesday, October 7, it was heard by 3 senior most judges Chief Justice BR Gawai, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Vikram Nath. The court said that after the acquittal of the petitioner in all other cases, there has been an unusual situation. If we look at this only case, then Koli’s conviction was also based on only one statement and recovery of kitchen knife. In such a situation, this case seems to be accepted.