Nithari Case Exclusive: The story of Noida's much talked about Nithari incident is once again in the headlines. This time the reason is that Surendra Koli, who was accused in that case, has accepted death in Haridwar. According to the police, on September 18, 2026, Surendra Koli was found hanging inside a tea shop in Bhupatwala area. Initially the police are investigating it as a suicide. The circumstances of death are being investigated through post-mortem and forensic investigation.
But Jyoti's family, one of the victims of Nithari incident, has raised serious questions regarding Koli's death in an exclusive conversation with Read Hindi. Jyoti's father, victim Jhabbu Lal and his wife Sunita claim that Surendra Koli did not commit suicide, but he was murdered and his body was hanged. The family also alleged that Koli might have secrets related to the Nithari incident, which he was about to reveal.
'If I had to hang myself, I would have hanged myself in jail…'
Talking to Read Hindi, the family of the Nithari incident victim raised questions about the death of Surendra Koli and said that if he had to commit suicide, he could have done so in jail also. According to the family, 'If he had to be hanged, he would have been hanged in jail only. Why would he do this after coming out? He further said that before he was about to reveal some secret, he was killed and hanged.
The victim's family claims that Koli had some secrets related to this case, which he was going to reveal. The family also alleged that it was possible that she might have been murdered to silence her. He also expressed doubt on Moninder Singh Pandher, the second accused in the Nithari case, and his associates. This claim is the allegation of the parents of Jyoti, the victim of Nithari incident.
'I was asked to take up the case by paying money'
The victim's family made another serious allegation during the conversation. The family claims that Surendra Koli was allegedly offered money to take responsibility for a case. The family alleged that he was told to take the money and take the case upon himself. According to the family, he may have been targeted because of some similar secret or revelation. At present this claim has also come forward only as an allegation of the victim's family. There is no independent verification or police confirmation of this claim.
'Pandher had money, that's why he was acquitted first…'
The victim's family also raised questions regarding the acquittal of Surendra Koli by the Supreme Court. The family claimed that Pandher had money and influence, so he got relief earlier, while Koli did not have the resources and remained in jail for a long time. However, the decisions of the courts are based on the legal records and evidence available in the case. The Supreme Court had also acquitted Koli in the last case pending against him in 2025.
Koli came out last year after being in jail for 19 years.
Surendra Koli remained in jail for almost 19 years. After the Nithari incident, many cases were registered against him and he was convicted in different cases and was also sentenced to death. But the picture changed as the legal process progressed. In 2023, Allahabad High Court acquitted him in many cases. After this the matter reached the Supreme Court. In 2025, the Supreme Court did not find grounds to uphold the conviction in the last remaining case against him and acquitted him. After this he came out of jail in November 2025.
When he came out of jail, he reached Haridwar.
After coming out of jail, Surendra Koli had gone to Haridwar. According to reports, he was living in Bhupatwala area for some time and was running a tea shop there. On the morning/afternoon of September 18, the police received information about his death. His body was found hanging inside the tea shop. Police reached the spot, took possession of the body and started investigation.
How was life before death?
When Koli came out after spending almost two decades in jail, his life had completely changed. In the same case which had given him national recognition, he came out acquitted after a long legal battle. After this he tried to live a relatively anonymous life in Haridwar and started running a tea shop. But he died about 10 months after coming out. This time interval has also brought this matter into discussion again. The initial police information regarding the death of Surendra Koli states that it was suicide. But according to reports, no suicide note was recovered from the spot.