The last rites were performed at a Ganga ghat on Saturday for Surendra Koli, 50, who spent nearly two decades behind bars before being acquitted of all 13 cases related to Nithari killings last year and was found dead at his tea stall in Haridwar on Friday.
The rites were conducted at the Khadkhadi crematorium in Haridwar after a panel of doctors conducted his postmortem. “Police action will depend on these reports. Koli’s family members, several residents, vendors and police personnel were present at the funeral.
Police said they were awaiting the postmortem and forensic reports for further action. All angles are being looked into,” said City police station in-charge KS Rana.
Family recalls difficult years
“I spent a little time with my father. “For the past two decades, the Koli family faced difficult times. In the past few months, Surendra was trying to earn a livelihood. Narayan Singh Rawat, a friend close to Koli, called for a fair investigation into his death.
Koli’s 20-year-old son, Shivam Koli, conducted the last rites.
He was trying to earn a livelihood…,” Shivam said. But his sudden death has again put the family in difficult times,” said a family friend who did not wish to be named.
What happened in the Nithari killings case
The Nithari killings came to light in 2006 when skeletal remains of several children were discovered in a drain behind the Noida residence of businessman Moninder Singh Pandher, where Koli worked as a domestic help. Both Koli and Pandher were arrested.
