Supreme Court acquits Surendra Koli, prime accused in Nithari killings, citing justice concerns and procedural irregularities in his conviction.
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 11, 2025) acquitted Surinder Koli, the prime accused in the Nithari killings, in the only case where his conviction and life sentence had remained in force.
The court said that convictions, particularly in cases involving capital punishment, cannot rest on mere “conjecture” and that due process must prevail even in the most horrific crimes.
Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath observed that upholding the 2011 verdict convicting Mr.
Koli would amount to a “manifest miscarriage of justice” when he had already been acquitted in 12 other connected cases arising from the same set of facts and evidence.
The Bench therefore directed that he be released forthwith, if not required in any other case or proceeding.
Judiciary (system of justice) / Supreme Court / justice and rights / crime, law and justice.
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