Nithari Killings: The Continuing Imprisonment of Surendra Koli

Surendra Koli, convicted in the Nithari killings, remains in prison due to a life sentence for the murder of a teenager, despite his acquittal in 12 other cases. The Supreme Court recently upheld his acquittal in these cases, but the life term stands, following multiple legal battles and petitions.

Surendra Koli, a convict in the heinous Nithari killings, will continue to serve a life sentence despite his acquittal in 12 cases upheld by the Supreme Court. The life imprisonment relates to the murder case of teenage girl Rimpa Haldar, administered by the Allahabad High Court, according to officials.

The chilling Nithari incident surfaced when skeletal remains of eight children were discovered behind Moninder Singh Pandher's residence in Noida in December 2006. Koli, employed as Pandher's domestic help, was embroiled in the case that shocked the nation.

Though acquittals in Haldar's murder were contested, Koli's life sentence holds, overshadowed by an appeal pending before the Supreme Court. Pandher, similarly implicated, was acquitted in six cases by the sessions court and Allahabad High Court.

(With inputs from agencies.)