The post-mortem report of Surendra Koli, acquitted in the 2006 Nithari killings, reveals that he died of asphyxiation due to hanging. He was found dead in his tea shop in Haridwar last week.
Koli was the prime accused in the 2006 Noida Nithari serial murder case, but was acquitted last year by the Supreme Court, stating that the evidence based on which he was convicted and sentenced by the previous courts was illegal, unreliable and contradictory.
He was found dead by the police four days ago at the small rented shop in Haridwar's Saptarishi area. The body was found on the ground and was bleeding from the mouth. The rope tied to his neck was also broken, following which his family raised suspicions about the manner of his death.
Koli hanged himself, which caused his death. However, the rope broke, and his body fell to the ground. Police said that bleeding from the nose and mouth is natural due to the buildup of blood pressure after suicide.
Examination of CCTV footage from the scene and the surrounding areas revealed no suspicious activity.
According to the police, Koli was facing financial hardship and mental stress and had borrowed 5,000 to start the shop. He was living in extremely difficult circumstances and had to change rooms four times within a short period in Haridwar.
After walking out of prison, his family did not take him in, which forced him to live under a concealed identity. He repeatedly had to quit his jobs because he could not provide an Aadhaar card or undergo police verification.
Koli arrived in Haridwar about a month ago and had stayed with some lawyers and a church in Bengaluru.
He was cremated in Haridwar on Saturday, police said. His family members were present at the Kharkhari crematorium.
