Nithari case's Surendra Koli cremated in Haridwar; police await autopsy report

On Saturday, the final rites were held for Surendra Koli, a 50-year-old man who spent two decades in prison before being acquitted of 13 Nithari killings, at the Khadkhadi crematorium in Haridwar following a postmortem. Police are awaiting the autopsy and forensic reports for further action. "Police action will depend on these reports. All angles are being looked into," said City police station in-charge KS Rana.

Koli's 20-year-old son, Shivam Koli, led the funeral rites. "I spent a little time with my father. He was trying to earn a livelihood," Shivam shared. Koli arrived in Haridwar from Almora on Saturday morning, accompanied by his uncles Harish Koli, Chandan, and Anand, along with fellow villagers. Koli's friend, Narayan Singh Rawat, called for a thorough investigation into his death, citing the sudden nature of the event.

Prior to moving to Haridwar, Koli reportedly visited several cities in search of employment. His death has left the family in a difficult situation once again. A contractor who met with Koli last month noted that he did not reveal his real identity and was living a humble life in the Bhoopatwala area. The Nithari killings, which came to light in 2006, involved the discovery of skeletal remains of several children in a drain behind Moninder Singh Pandher's Noida residence, where Koli worked as a domestic helper.