The recent decision by the Allahabad High Court to acquit the accused in the Nithari killings has brought an end to a 17-year-long legal battle that has seen numerous twists and turns. The Nithari killings, a series of gruesome crimes involving the abduction, rape, and murder of children in Noida, have been a chilling and harrowing saga of justice delayed and denied.
Children Go Missing
In 2005 and 2006, Noida’s Sector 31 witnessed a series of child disappearances. Among the missing were Jyoti and Rachna, aged 10 and 8, respectively. Their fathers suspected Surinder Koli, a domestic help employed by businessman Moninder Singh Pandher. They approached the police with their suspicions but were met with little success. Eventually, local residents and former residents’ association chief SC Mishra were involved in searching a nearby drain, which led to a shocking discovery.
A Shocking Discovery
The search at the drain led to the discovery of decomposed body parts. Locals and residents claimed to have found as many as 15 bodies, while the police reported finding bones and skulls. Surinder Koli had already confessed to his crimes, and Pandher had mentioned that one of the victims, Payal, was a sex worker he had hired.
The Investigation
From the outset, the police’s handling of the case faced criticism. The central government appointed an inquiry panel due to the public outcry, leading to the suspension of several police officers and personnel. Later, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The investigation revealed at least 19 victims, with Koli charged with rape, murder, and evidence destruction. However, no strong evidence of rape or murder was found against Pandher.
The Convictions
Koli was initially sentenced to death for the rape and murder of 14-year-old Rimpa Haldar. He was later awarded multiple death sentences. These convictions faced legal challenges and appeals, eventually leading to the commutation of his death penalty to life imprisonment due to the inordinate delay in deciding his mercy plea. In 2019, Koli received another death penalty. Pandher faced a total of three cases against him, all of which resulted in acquittals.
An Order After 17 Years
After 17 years, the Allahabad High Court acquitted both Koli and Pandher in the serial killings case, citing a lack of evidence. This decision marks the conclusion of a long-winding legal battle that raised concerns about the challenges in proving serial killings cases and delivering justice. While Koli has been acquitted in most cases, he is still serving a life sentence in one case and has a pending curative petition. Pandher has been acquitted in all three cases against him.