Nithari Killings Accused: One Released, Another Remains Behind Bars

Moninder Singh Pandhar, one of the accused in the Nithari serial killings case, was released from a Greater Noida jail today after the Allahabad High Court cleared him of all charges. The court acquitted him in two cases and his domestic help, Surendra Koli, the main accused in this sensational case, in 12 cases. They had initially been convicted of rape and murder.

The high court’s decision to acquit them was based on a lack of evidence and the prosecution’s failure to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. However, Surendra Koli remains a life-term prisoner due to his conviction in one case.

The gruesome serial killings occurred at Moninder Pandher’s home in the Nithari area of Noida, Uttar Pradesh, between 2005 and 2006, as investigated by the CBI. Surendra Koli worked as a helper at Pandher’s residence, which was infamously known as the “house of horrors.” Koli would lure children into the house, where he and Pandher allegedly raped and murdered them. The police reported that they dismembered the victims’ bodies and discarded the remains in drains to eliminate evidence.

The case garnered widespread attention after the discovery of body parts belonging to a missing child in a drain near Pandher’s home. This led to a massive investigation that revealed more victims. The allegations included murder, mutilation, and even cannibalism, which held the nation’s attention for weeks and months.

The police identified a series of gruesome murders of several children, prompting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case. Koli had previously confessed to having sexual contact with the deceased victims and consuming parts of their bodies. Both Pandher and Koli were also convicted for the rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman.