Greater Noida: The Noida police have stepped up action in the death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned after his car plunged into a deep, waterlogged pit in Sector 150. Two more builders have been arrested in the case, taking the investigation forward against five builders accused of negligence and violations of public safety norms. Police officials said accountability is being fixed at multiple levels as the probe widens.
According to the police, the arrested builders are Ravi Bansal and Sachin Karnwal, associated with Lotus Greens Construction Pvt Ltd. Earlier, Abhay Kumar of MZ Wiztown Planners Pvt Ltd was arrested and sent to jail. Investigators said further action would follow against those found responsible for lapses at the construction site.
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How the accident occurred
The accident took place late Friday night near the ATS Le Grandiose turn in Sector 150 under the Knowledge Park police station limits. Mehta was returning home from Gurugram when, amid dense fog and at high speed, his car went out of control and fell into a water-filled basement of an under-construction mall. The basement was reportedly around 30 feet deep and had remained flooded for a long time.
After the crash, Mehta called his father to say he was drowning. Police and his family rushed to the spot, but darkness, heavy fog and the depth of the water hampered rescue efforts. Teams from the fire department, SDRF and NDRF conducted a rescue operation for over four hours. Mehta was pulled out and rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Serious allegations of negligence
In their complaint, the victim’s family alleged that there was no barricading, reflector or warning signage near the accident site. Leaving an open, waterlogged pit close to a public road amounted to grave negligence, they said. The police investigation has also found that the pit had existed for a long period without adequate safety measures, posing a constant risk of a major accident.
A separate FIR has also been registered for alleged violations of environmental and pollution laws. Investigators said stagnant water in the pit had caused pollution, with residents complaining of foul odour in the surrounding area.
NGT steps in
Taking cognisance of the incident, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought responses from the Noida Authority, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the irrigation department and the Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration. All departments have been directed to file affidavits ahead of the next hearing.
Probe widens
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government is examining the case. The SIT has sought written explanations from multiple departments of the Noida Authority, including those responsible for construction approvals, environmental clearances and safety compliance.
What lies ahead
Police officials stressed that the case goes beyond a single accident, exposing gaps in urban development oversight and construction monitoring. More arrests are possible as the investigation progresses. Authorities have said strict action will be taken against those found guilty, and corrective measures will be enforced to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The death of Yuvraj Mehta has once again raised troubling questions about construction safety, administrative vigilance and accountability in rapidly developing urban areas.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
