Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court today extended the stay on the execution of death sentence awarded to Nithari killings prime accused Surinder Koli till December 23.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P K S Baghel passed the order while hearing a PIL filed by the People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR). The PIL had contended that on account of "delay on part of Constitutional authorities" in disposing of the mercy petition filed by Koli before the President, his execution shall be deemed "unconstitutional" and his death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment.