“Sector 36” is the latest Indian crime thriller on Netflix, generating significant buzz for its disturbing true story. While the film alters some names and details to protect identities and mitigate its intensity, it captures the essence of a case that shocked the world.
The movie follows Inspector Ram Charan Pandey as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of children from a local colony. As the investigation unfolds, Pandey encounters a psychopath and ruthless serial killer, whom he is determined to stop at all costs.
The criminal, named Prem Singh in the title, is a fictionalized representation of the two real-life murderers imprisoned for these heinous crimes. Here’s all on their whereabouts in 2024.
Where are Moninder Singh Pandher and Surinder Koli today?
The character portrayed by Vikrant Massey in “Sector 36” is a fictional amalgamation of Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant, Surinder Koli—the central figures in one of India’s most notorious criminal cases, the 2006 Nithari serial murders. This case involved the deaths of at least 17 children, according to reputable sources like The Indian Express.
However, the picture includes a scene where Prem, the character, confesses his crimes in detail, which suggests he is more likely based on Surinder Koli only. Koli’s real-life confessions were explicit, detailing his methods for capturing and murdering his victims. Unlike Pandher, whose role remains debated, Koli admitted to his crimes in graphic detail, leading his interrogators to describe him as a “psychopath used to carry out the killings”.
Initially, justice was severe, with both Koli and Pandher sentenced to death multiple times. However, in 2023, following extensive appeals and debates over Koli’s mental health and culpability, both were acquitted. The court found that the prosecution had failed to conclusively prove their guilt.
As a result, Surinder Koli was released from prison. By 2024, he is no longer incarcerated. The case continues to be scrutinized, and his release remains controversial, particularly among the victims’ families and the public, who believe justice has not been fully served.
