Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) Feb 27 (IANS) A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court Thursday charged Maninder Singh Pandher as an additional accused in a sixth case of rape and murder in Nithari along with his servant Surinder Koli, who has been charged in 18 cases of rape and murder of woman and children. The CBI in its charge sheet had named Surinder Koli in 18 cases of rape and murder of women and children of Nithari village but had accused Pandher only under section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Counsel for Nithari victims Khalid Khan said: “CBI in its charge sheets in 18 cases let off Pandher scot free from rape and murder charges. It only made Surinder Koli the main accused. But after our representation, the court made Pandher accused of rape and murder in six cases.”

Special CBI Judge CBI Rama Jain issued non-bailable warrant against Pandher and ordered him to be present in the court March 4, 2008 in the case of sixth victim Rimpa Haldhar, the lawyer added.

The court earlier had also named Pandher in five more cases of rape and murder.

On Dec 27, 2006, remains of 18 children and women were found from a drain adjoining Pandher’s house in Nithari village. The police had arrested businessman Pandher and his domestic help Koli on charges of rape and murder.