Who is Moninder Singh Pandher? Businessman acquitted in 2006 Nithari killing of late Surendra Koli | Today’s news

Businessman Moninder Singh Pandher was among the accused in the 2006 Nithar serial murders, which came to light after the skeletal remains of children were discovered in a canal behind his house in Noida.

Pandher has been a free man since October 2023 when the Allahabad High Court acquitted him of the two remaining Nithari cases against him. The case came into fresh focus after the death of Surendra Koli, who was also accused of the murders and was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 2025. Police said Koli allegedly committed suicide in Haridwar’s Bhupatwala area on Friday.

The court also acquitted Koli of the charges in 12 cases and drew attention to shortcomings in the investigation and evidence in the cases. Pandher and Koli were arrested during the investigation into the murders.

Who is Moninder Singh Pandher?

Pandher owned a house D-5 in Nithari, Noida where Surendra Koli worked as a domestic help. Pandher came from a rich family in the transport business and lived a lavish lifestyle. According to a Times Of India report, he was accused of sexually abusing women and children and allegedly committed serious crimes while his wife was away.

He later reportedly moved to Chandigarh and since his release there has been little public information about his activities. Recent reports also do not indicate any regular employment associated with him.

However, Pandher spoke publicly in November 2025 after Koli was acquitted by the Supreme Court. In an interview with India Today, he asked who should be held responsible for the Nithari murders and said he also considered himself a victim in the case. “I am also a victim. Please, I also want justice,” he said.

Pandher was later convicted in two cases related to the deaths and received the death sentence in one case, but the conviction was subsequently overturned by higher courts. In October 2023, the Allahabad High Court acquitted Pandher of the two remaining cases against him.

Koli’s last days in Haridwar

Haridwar Police said Koli lived in Bhupatwala area which comes under Haridwar City Kotwali Police Station. He was said to have been running a tea stall there for the past few days.

Haridwar City Circle Officer Shishupal Singh Negi said the man found in Sapt Rishi area was identified as Koli through the Aadhaar card recovered from the spot. Police said he allegedly died by suicide while the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team was examining the crime scene.

“We have just received information that a person has died by suicide in Sapt Rishi area. Prima facie it appears to be a suicide. However, the Aadhaar card found at the spot bears the name of Surendra Koli and the address also matches. We have received information that a person, identified as Surendra Koli, has allegedly died by suicide and appears to be an accused in the Nithari case,” Negi said.

“We were told that he ran a tea stall here and lived in the area for some time. Our FSL team has reached the spot and is conducting a preliminary search. After the visit of the FSL team, court proceedings and post-mortem will be conducted. The investigation and post-mortem will be conducted by a panel,” he added.