In a noteworthy legal decision, the Supreme Court has acquitted Surendra Koli, the prime accused in the infamous Nithari killings case, while also delivering a scathing critique of the police's investigative methods. The court highlighted significant flaws in the police's handling of the investigation, indicating that critical leads were overlooked. Koli had previously faced life imprisonment, but the court's ruling dismissed this conviction, aligning with an earlier acquittal by the Allahabad High Court. The Supreme Court underlined that a conviction must be based on solid evidence rather than mere suspicion, especially in light of Koli’s acquittal in other related cases.

The bench, which included Chief Justice BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Vikram Nath, found the circumstantial evidence presented against Koli to be lacking critical forensic support. The court pointed out that investigative paths that may have related to organ trade were notably ignored. Furthermore, Koli's confession was deemed unreliable, as it was obtained during a prolonged custody period of over 60 days without access to legal counsel or a necessary medical examination.

The verdict also made specific references to deficiencies in police procedures, including delays in securing the crime scene, inconsistencies in remand and recovery documents, and an absence of timely medical evaluations. Furthermore, the court found that significant forensic analyses failed to identify any evidence of human bloodstains or remains linked to the alleged crimes, leading to doubts about Koli's involvement.

The panel criticized law enforcement for not questioning essential witnesses or exploring material leads that could have clarified the case. The judges were particularly concerned with the implausibility of Koli, described as a semi-educated domestic help, performing the precise dismemberments attributed to him in the killings. The physical evidence — such as knives, axes, and human remains found around the home of his co-accused, Mohinder Singh Pandher — was also disconnected from Koli, as the court ruled there was no admissible evidence linking him to the crime scene.

Koli’s release is profound: he has spent nearly two decades incarcerated since the heinous acts first emerged in 2006. The Supreme Court conveyed its sorrow for the victims' families; however, it emphasized that criminal law requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The bench characterized the Nithari incidents as exceptionally brutal, regretting the failure to conclusively identify the actual perpetrator despite extensive investigations. They reiterated that conviction cannot be based solely on suspicion, regardless of its severity, underscoring the necessity for irrefutable evidence in the justice system.