Nithari Killings: HC Acquits Surinder Koli, Moninder Pandher Due To Lack Of Evidence 17 Years After Murder Of Women, Children In Noida

The Allahabad High Court, in a recent development, has acquitted Surinder Koli, the prime accused in the Nithari killings case.

Additionally, the court acquitted his employer, Moninder Singh Pandher, of two cases and set aside their respective death sentences due to a lack of substantiating evidence.

This notorious case came to public attention when human remains were discovered in a drain behind the accused individuals' residence in 2006 by Noida police, nearly 17 years ago.

The Bench, comprising Justices Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi, presided over the proceedings.

The duo had been sentenced to death on counts of rape and murder, yet the recent acquittals underline the insufficiency of evidence in the prosecution's case.

The arrests of Koli and Pandher occurred on 29 December 2006, following the recovery of skeletons and personal effects of missing girls from the drain outside their residence, D-5 in Nithari.

Koli was accused of the gruesome act of killing multiple girls, dismembering their bodies, and disposing of the remains in their backyard.