CCTV trail maps final hours of Noida techie before fatal plunge into water-filled pit

The investigation into the death of Noida-based techie Yuvraj Mehta has intensified, with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) piecing together his final hours through an extensive review of CCTV footage, traffic cameras, and digital location data.

Sources familiar with the probe were quoted as saying by Aaj Tak that investigators are reconstructing Mehta’s movements minute by minute on January 16 — the night his SUV plunged into a water-filled pit in Greater Noida’s Sector 150 — to establish the precise sequence of events that led to his death.

The SIT’s preliminary findings trace Mehta’s journey from his workplace to multiple locations across Noida, using surveillance footage and vehicle tracking data as the backbone of the investigation.

From office party to late-night drive

After leaving his office, Mehta headed to Manhattan Bar & Restro in Sector 43, where an office party was underway. CCTV footage from inside the establishment shows him seated at Table No. 18, consuming alcohol. Investigators say he remained at the venue for nearly three hours.

Footage shows Mehta exiting the bar at 9:44 pm. Later, at around 11:00 pm, traffic cameras captured his car travelling at high speed from Delhi towards Pari Chowk via the Mahamaya Flyover.

Subsequent CCTV visuals place the vehicle at multiple points across Noida late into the night. At 11:08 pm, the car was seen moving from Safipur Chauraha towards Sector 76 Metro Station, and just four minutes later, at 11:12 pm, it was again recorded near the same metro station.

Investigators have also traced the car near Lotus Boulevard in Sector 105 at 11:26 pm. The last confirmed digital location of the vehicle was logged at 12:25 am on January 17, near the Prateek Building in Sector 100.

Timeline of key events

• Evening, January 16: Yuvraj Mehta leaves office
• After office hours: Reaches Manhattan Bar & Restro, Sector 43
• CCTV footage: Seen at Table No. 18, consuming alcohol
• Nearly 3 hours: Spends time at office party
• 9:44 pm: Leaves the bar
• Around 11:00 pm: Car seen speeding towards Pari Chowk via Mahamaya Flyover
• 11:08 pm: Car captured near Safipur Chauraha heading towards Sector 76 Metro Station
• 11:12 pm: Car spotted near Sector 76 Metro Station
• 11:26 pm: Car seen near Lotus Boulevard, Sector 105
• 12:25 am, January 17: Car’s last recorded location near Prateek Building, Sector 100

The fatal crash

Later that night, Mehta’s speeding Grand Vitara plunged into a water-filled pit while he was returning home to Tata Eureka Park in Sector 150, Greater Noida, from his office in Gurugram. Owing to the high water level, the vehicle overturned and began floating.

Investigators say Mehta managed to exit the car and called his father, Rajkumar Mehta, informing him about the accident. His father immediately alerted Dial-112 and rushed to the site.

The submerged vehicle was finally pulled out four days later, on Tuesday evening, using cranes.

Builder in custody, probe widens

Meanwhile, a day after the Greater Noida Police arrested builder Abhay Kumar, he was sent to six-day judicial custody. Kumar is the owner of MZ Wishtown, a real estate project in the Knowledge Park area. Investigators are examining whether lapses in safety and site management contributed to the fatal incident.

Officials say the CCTV trail is expected to provide fresh leads and critical insights as the SIT continues to probe the circumstances surrounding Mehta’s death.