Koli had been living in Haridwar under the name “Sada Ram” and had started running a small tea stall only a few days before his death. Local residents learned his real identity after police found him hanging inside the stall. Police said they did not find a suicide note.

Police investigate Surendra Koli’s death in Haridwar

Haridwar police reached the tea stall in the Saptarishi area after receiving information about a body inside the shop. Deputy Superintendent of Police Shishupal Singh Negi said officers found Koli with a noose around his neck, while another part of the rope remained attached to a ceiling fan. Police suspect that the rope may have snapped after his death, causing the body to fall. However, officials will wait for the post-mortem report before confirming the cause of death. So far, investigators have not found a suicide note. Meanwhile, police have started investigating the circumstances surrounding Koli’s death and have informed his family.

Koli lived in Haridwar as Sada Ram

After leaving prison, Koli moved to Haridwar and tried to rebuild his life away from the public attention surrounding the Nithari case. According to Hindustan Times, tea-stall owner Anil Sharma said Koli introduced himself as Sada Ram when he approached him about renting the stall. Koli reportedly told Sharma that he had been working with a state government enterprise in Roshanabad. Sharma said he rented the stall to Koli for ₹7,000 a month and took ₹14,000 as an advance. Koli reportedly told him that he wanted to move closer to Haridwar city to earn a better livelihood for his family. According to other reports, Koli arrived in Haridwar around one to one-and-a-half months before his death. Before opening the tea stall, he worked briefly as a security guard and took up other jobs in the area.

Koli had recently started running the tea stall

Police said Koli had been selling tea for only a few days before his death. Hindustan Times reported that the stall stood opposite Lal Mata Temple in the Bhupatwala area. A local battery-rickshaw driver told the newspaper that he discovered Koli inside the stall at around 11 am after going there for tea. The driver said local shopkeepers and customers had no knowledge of Koli’s past. “Chaiwala bhai had started selling tea just a few days ago…Now that his identity has been revealed, all the neighbouring shopkeepers and those who used to have tea at his shop are shocked. It was around 11am when he was spotted dead inside the shop,” the driver said. Meanwhile, Koli had reportedly been preparing for the next Ardh Kumbh fair in Haridwar. Locals said he expected the event to provide an opportunity to increase his earnings.

Koli’s family said he was trying to rebuild his life

Koli’s brother Anand Koli told Hindustan Times that his brother visited the family in June and stayed with them for around two weeks. He said Koli remained in contact with him by phone but never discussed any personal problems. According to Anand, Koli worked as a security guard and labourer in and around Haridwar before opening the tea stall. His brother also said Koli had spoken about his efforts to rebuild his life after leaving prison.  In addition, reports from the area indicate that Koli spent time looking for work and accommodation after arriving in Haridwar. A local resident, Jai Kashyap, reportedly helped him find employment and a place to stay.

Koli’s family home in Almora remained largely abandoned

Koli belonged to Mangrukhal village in Uttarakhand’s Almora district. Local residents said his family home had remained largely abandoned for years. According to the source that Koli’s wife, Shanti Devi, left the village with their two children in 2010, four years after his arrest in the Nithari case. Villagers said the family home had since fallen into disrepair. Koli’s brother continued to visit the village occasionally. However, residents said Koli himself did not return to live there permanently after his release.

Supreme Court acquitted Koli in final Nithari case

Koli spent nearly two decades in prison after authorities arrested him in connection with the Nithari killings. The case came to light in December 2006 after investigators discovered human remains in drains and areas near businessman Moninder Singh Pandher’s house in Noida. Koli worked as a domestic helper at Pandher’s residence. Investigators subsequently linked Koli and Pandher to multiple cases involving the disappearance and deaths of women and children. Authorities ultimately prosecuted Koli in 13 cases. The Allahabad High Court acquitted Koli in 12 cases in October 2023. Subsequently, in July 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed appeals challenging those acquittals, leaving one case pending against Koli. On November 11, 2025, the Supreme Court allowed Koli’s curative petition in the final case. The court set aside his conviction and ordered his release if authorities did not require him in any other case or proceeding. The Supreme Court also identified serious problems with the evidence used against Koli, including issues involving his confession and recovery evidence. The court concluded that the evidence in the final case could not sustain his conviction. As a result, Koli walked out of prison in November 2025 after spending nearly 20 years behind bars.

Nithari case remains under scrutiny

The Nithari killings became one of India’s most closely followed criminal cases after investigators discovered human remains near Pandher’s house in 2006. Initially, courts convicted Koli and Pandher in several cases, while Koli received multiple death sentences. However, subsequent judicial proceedings raised questions about the investigation, the strength of the recovery evidence and the circumstances surrounding Koli’s confession. The Supreme Court’s November 2025 judgment ultimately acquitted Koli in the final pending case and ordered his release. Now, his death in Haridwar has brought renewed attention to the long-running Nithari case. However, police have not yet established a definitive cause of death. Investigators are awaiting the post-mortem findings before reaching a final conclusion.

Victim’s family questions circumstances of death

The circumstances of Koli’s death have also prompted questions from a family connected to one of the Nithari victims. Hindustan Times reported that the father of a 10-year-old victim questioned whether Koli died by suicide and called for a detailed investigation. However, that remains a statement from the victim’s family and has not been established by investigators. Police have described the circumstances as appearing to indicate suicide while awaiting the post-mortem report. As of September 19, 2026, police have confirmed that Koli was found hanging inside his Haridwar tea stall. Investigators have not reported finding a suicide note, and the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation pending the post-mortem report.