Surendra Koli, accused in the 2005–06 Nithari killings, was released from jail on Wednesday night after the Supreme Court set aside his conviction in the last pending case linked to the gruesome murders.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Vikram Nath acquitted Koli on Tuesday, sharply criticising the investigation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court said the circumstantial evidence against Koli lacked forensic support and pointed to serious lapses, including failure to investigate leads related to the alleged organ trade.

As he walked out of the jail, he grabbed heavy media attention. He was wearing a blue suit and a mask, and was surrounded by jail officials and police.

The Supreme Court

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