Noida builder held as probe deepens into techie’s death in water-filled pit

Greater Noida Police on January 20 arrested real estate developer Abhay Kumar, owner of the MZ Wishtown project, in connection with the death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, whose car plunged into a water-filled pit in Greater Noida on January 16 night. Kumar was taken into custody by the Knowledge Park police station team after being named in the case.

The arrest comes amid a widening investigation into the circumstances that led to Mehta’s death, with authorities probing alleged lapses by builders and officials responsible for maintaining safety at the site.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on January 20

held a review meeting at the Noida Authority office before conducting an on-site inspection of the accident location. Additional Director General of Police Bhanu Bhaskar said several officials have already been questioned and that statements of the victim’s family members will also be recorded.

Officials said the SIT is examining all aspects of the case, including why no effective rescue operation was carried out for nearly two hours, despite the presence of multiple emergency teams at the spot. Once the inquiry is complete, the team will submit a detailed report to the state government. Sources indicated that further action may follow against additional officials if culpability is established.

The incident occurred late Friday when 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. Due to the high water level, the car overturned and began floating. Mehta managed to escape the vehicle and called his father, Rajkumar Mehta, informing him of the accident.

Rajkumar Mehta immediately alerted Dial-112 and rushed to the site, but the family alleges that authorities failed to act decisively. Despite repeated cries for help, no rescuer entered the drain, and Mehta eventually drowned. His father has publicly flagged what he described as gross inaction by the authorities.

Four days after the tragedy, the submerged car was finally pulled out on January 20 evening using cranes.

Local residents said the pit, dug for the construction of a mall, had been lying abandoned for over three years after the project was shelved. Over time, rainwater and sewage from nearby residential societies collected in the excavation, turning it into a deadly hazard.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, police on January 18 registered an FIR at Knowledge Park police station against MJ Wishtown Planner Limited and Lotus Green Construction Private Limited.

The family has alleged that the developers failed to install basic safety measures such as barricades, warning signs and reflectors, despite the stretch being accident-prone and repeatedly flagged by residents.

The case has already triggered administrative action. The Uttar Pradesh government earlier removed Noida Authority CEO M Lokesh, a 2005-batch IAS officer, and also relieved him of his additional charge as Managing Director of the Noida Metro Rail Corporation.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took swift cognisance of the incident, ordering the formation of a three-member SIT under the leadership of the Meerut Divisional Commissioner and seeking a report within five days.