Supreme Court Issues Notice To Surendra Koli In Nithari Case Appeal

The Supreme Court has taken up the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) appeal challenging the charge of offense of Surendra Koli in the infamous Nithari murder case of 2006. Koli along with Moninder Singh Pandher, was acquit by the Allahabad High Court, which cited lack of conclusive evidence.

A bench led by Justice BR Gavai issued a notice to Surendra Koli, seeking his response within four weeks. The High Court had overturned Koli’s death sentence in twelve cases and Pandher’s in two, citing the prosecution’s failure to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt based on circumstantial evidence.

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Earlier, advocate Geeta Luthra, representing victim Pappu Lal, highlighted discrepancies in the High Court’s decision, prompting the Supreme Court to issue the notice to Koli. The court has also requested records from the lower court and the Allahabad High Court.

Pappu Lal, challenging the October 16th order of the High Court, has solely named Koli in his petition. Koli, formerly employed by Moninder Singh Pandher, was sentenced to death in September 2010, while Pandher was acquitted by the lower court.

Allahabad High Court’s Decision

The CBI, which investigated the Nithari case involving charges of murder, kidnapping, rape, and destruction of evidence against Koli, has now moved the Supreme Court against the Allahabad High Court’s decision.

In the notorious Nithari case spanning 2005-2006, the CBI accused Surendra Koli of heinous crimes, with Moninder Singh Pandher also implicated in human trafficking. The accused argued in court that the convictions were solely based on scientific and circumstantial evidence, lacking eyewitness testimony.

The case gain national attention in 2006 when remains of 19 children and women in a drain near Pandher’s residence in Noida’s Nithari area. The incident sparked widespread outrage, leading to the arrest of Pandher and Koli by the police, followed by the transfer of all related cases to the CBI.