In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Uttar Pradesh government have approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Allahabad High Court’s decision to acquit Surendra Koli in the Nithari murder case. The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear separate petitions filed by the CBI and the UP government.
A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, K.V. Viswanathan, and N. Kotiswar Singh issued notices seeking a response from Koli regarding the petitions and instructed that these petitions be tagged with other pending petitions related to the case.
The Supreme Court had previously sought a response from Koli concerning multiple petitions filed by the CBI against the Allahabad High Court’s decision dated October 16, last year. In May, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear a petition filed by the father of one of the victims, challenging the High Court’s acquittal of Koli.
The Allahabad High Court had overturned the death sentence of Surendra Koli, which was awarded by the trial court on September 28, 2010. The High Court also acquitted Moninder Singh Pandher, who had been cleared by the session court. The High Court’s judgment stated that the prosecution had failed to prove the guilt of both accused beyond a reasonable doubt, and criticized the investigation as a betrayal of public trust by the responsible agencies.
The Nithari murder case involves a series of killings and sexual assaults that occurred in Nithari, Noida, where remains of several victims, mostly children, were found near the residence of Moninder Singh Pandher and his domestic help, Surendra Koli. The case had garnered widespread media attention due to the gruesome nature of the crimes and the alleged failure of law enforcement agencies.
Also Read
The Supreme Court’s agreement to hear the petitions filed by the CBI and the UP government marks a critical step in the ongoing legal proceedings of the Nithari case. The apex court’s decision will be closely watched as it addresses the complexities and controversies surrounding the investigation and prosecution of the case.
