Nithari Murder Case: Allahabad HC acquits key accused Surendra Koli, Moninder Pandher

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Nithari murder case convicts Surendra Koli in 12 cases and Moninder Singh Pandher in two cases. Both convicts were awarded the death penalty in the Nithari serial rape and murder case. Speaking to media persons in Prayagraj today, Pandher's lawyer, Manisha Bhandari said, “Allahabad High Court has acquitted Moninder Singh Pandher in the two appeals against him.

There were a total of 6 cases against him. Koli has been acquitted in all appeals against him here." The case came to light in 2006 when the police discovered the skulls and bones of 16 persons, mostly children, near Pandher’s house in Noida’s Nithari village. The investigation began after two Nithari residents claimed they knew the location of the remains of children, who had gone missing in the previous two years, and accused the local authorities of ignoring their complaints.

The UP government suspended Piyush Mordia, former SSP, Gautam Budh Nagar district; Saumitra Yadav, the then additional SP of Noida, and former circle officer Sewak Ram Yadav in 2007. Six sub-inspectors, who had earlier been suspended were also dismissed. In the same year, Pandher and Koli were taken to Gandhinagar for an extensive narco-analysis test by Uttar Pradesh police.

In 2009, Koli was convicted and sentenced to death by a special CBI court for the rape and murder of 14-year-old Rimpa Haldar, one of the several victims. On September 10, Pandher and Koli were sentenced to death by the trial court. The Allahabad High Court acquitted Pandher of the crime but confirmed Koli’s death sentence.

However, in 2010, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Koli. Surinder Koli’s death sentence was changed to a life sentence by the Supreme Court in 2014. The next year, a division bench