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Police Find Acquitted Surendra Koli Dead in Haridwar Stall

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 4:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Surendra Koli Found Hanged

Police discovered former Nithari accused Surendra Koli dead, hanging inside his Haridwar tea stall.
He had been acquitted by the Supreme Court on November 11, 2025, ending all criminal cases.
Investigators found no suicide note and suggest a family dispute may have motivated the hanging.
Family members and activist Narayan Singh Rawat claim the hanging indicates murder, not suicide.

Summary

Brajesh Singh Defends Koli

The discovery of skeletal remains in 2006 sparked widespread nationwide outrage and fear among local residents.
Luksar Jail superintendent Brajesh Singh said Koli’s behaviour was normal during his 14-month stay.
Before his release, Koli was transferred from Dasna jail to a brief stint in Meerut and finally to Luksar jail.

History

Historical Context

The 1997 Supreme Court judgment in D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal set binding custodial safeguards, later reflected in a 2008 amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code. Despite those rules, the National Human Rights Commission recorded 2,307 custody deaths between April 2021 and February 2022, and the hanging of Nithari inmate Surendra Koli has revived calls for independent autopsies and stricter prison-transfer oversight.

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Surendra Koli Found Hanged

Police discovered former Nithari accused Surendra Koli dead, hanging inside his Haridwar tea stall.
He had been acquitted by the Supreme Court on November 11, 2025, ending all criminal cases.
Investigators found no suicide note and suggest a family dispute may have motivated the hanging.
Family members and activist Narayan Singh Rawat claim the hanging indicates murder, not suicide.

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