Pandher gets bail in 5 Nithari cases, won't come out of jail yet

The Allahabad high court on Monday granted bail to Moninder Singh Pandher, a prime accused in the infamous Nithari serial killings, in five cases but he is unlikely to come out of the jail as at least eight other cases of murder were still pending against him.

Justice Bharat Bhushan accepted the bail pleas of the 42-year-old Noida-based businessmen on which judgement was reserved on May 22.

Even though Pandher got bail, he cannot come out of jail as there are eight other cases of murder against him besides several other charges.

The horrific Nithari serial killings came to light in December 2006 following discovery of human remains from a drain behind Pandher's house in Nithari in Noida on the outskirts of Delhi.

Both Pandher and his domestic help Surendra Koli were arrested in connection with the serial murders.

In one of the cases, relating to the killing of a girl named Rimpa Haldar, both were awarded death sentence by the Central Bureau of Investigation court.

Koli's sentence was upheld but Pandher was acquitted by the Allahabad high court in September 2009.

Koli's mercy petition has also been turned down by the President.

Image: Moninder Singh Pandher