You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Death reserved for the poor<br />
Singh Pandher being an well to do person was able to hire very capable<br />
lawyers to defend himself.<br />
As on date, Surendra Koli has been sentenced to death in five cases out<br />
of which the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence in one case.<br />
However, the only clinching evidence against him till date is his confession<br />
to the magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, where<br />
he repeated what he had told the police in custody. Surendra Koli allegedly<br />
informed his lawyers that he was tortured before his confession and had been<br />
threatened with more if he did not repeat it before the magistrate. In his<br />
letter to the apex court, Surendra Koli mentioned that the magistrate failed to<br />
notice the telltale signs of torture. His fingernails and toenails were allegedly<br />
missing due to torture. Surendra Koli’s confessional statement was made<br />
before a magistrate in Delhi and not in Ghaziabad. However, Surendra Koli<br />
alleged that it was done so that the investigators could have a magistrate of<br />
their choice. The police claimed that the reason was an attack by lawyers<br />
when he was brought to a Ghaziabad court. However, the police had taken<br />
him to the same court in Ghaziabad twice after the said attack. It was also<br />
alleged that the statement was taken down in English, a language Surendra<br />
Koli does not understand. Further, the stenographer was not examined in<br />
court. Surendra Koli was not allegedly medically examined before or after the<br />
confessional statement. 47<br />
47. See ‘Hanging Koli May Bury The Truth Of Nithari Killings’, Tehelka, 2014-08-30 , Issue 35 Volume 11,<br />
at: http://www.tehelka.com/nithari-killing-hanging-surinder-kohli-will-bury-the-truth/<br />
8
Change language