Nithari killings: Koli convicted in fifth case

Surinder Koli, prime accused in the Nithari killings, was on Saturday found guilty for the fifth time of raping and killing Nanda, also known as "Chhoti Payal", in 2005. While 19 FIRs, relating to crimes against 19 different girls, were filed against Koli, the CBI had filed chargesheets in 16 of them.

Koli was sentenced to death in the first four cases adjudicated by the sessions court in Ghaziabad. Moninder Singh Pandher, Koli's employer, was also given the death sentence in one of them, but the order was later overturned by the Allahabad High Court.

On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Magistrate Shyam Lal held Koli guilty under various sections in a 73-page order. Addressing Koli, Lal said in court, "Under these clauses, you have been found guilty. Arguments on sentencing will take place on December 24." Pandher was not an accused in the case relating to "Chhoti Payal".

Koli is accused of abducting and raping children from nearby villages of Nithari in Noida, committing acts of cannibalism, and then disposing their bodies in a drain in the locality.

During the course of the hearing, Koli has argued in court for himself.

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