Post-Mortem Confirms Surendra Koli Died by Suicide in Haridwar

Surendra Koli died by suicide due to asphyxia from hanging, according to his post-mortem report released by Uttarakhand Police on Wednesday. Koli, who spent nearly two decades in jail before being acquitted in all 13 cases linked to the 2006 Nithari killings, was found dead at a tea stall in Haridwar on September 18. City Police Station in-charge Kundan Singh Rana stated that investigators found no other forensic evidence, suspicious activity, or CCTV footage involving any suspect to suggest foul play. Koli was discovered with a noose around his neck, though no suicide note was recovered at the scene. He had rented the tea stall in the Sapt Rishi area of Haridwar just three days prior to his death, paying a monthly rent of ₹7,000 and an advance of ₹14,000 to owner Anil Sharma. Operating under the assumed name Sada Ram, Koli told the landlord he had previously worked in Roshanabad and hoped to earn money during next year's Ardh Kumbh fair. Following the discovery, Koli's brother Chandan Koli filed a complaint at the Saptarishi police outpost on Sunday, demanding a high-level probe into the circumstances of the death. The post-mortem examination was conducted on September 19, and his last rites were completed at the Khadkhadi Cremation Ganga Ghat in Haridwar by his brothers and son. Police confirmed Koli was a native of Magrukhal in the Bhikiasain area of Almora. The 2006 Nithari case originally came to light when skeletal remains were found in the drains and backyard of co-accused businessman Moninder Singh Pandher's Noida bungalow, leading to the arrest of both men on December 29, 2006.