Greater Noida police have arrested a builder in connection with the tragic death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, whose SUV plunged into a water-filled construction pit in Sector 150 late last week, ending in his drowning, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Abhay Kumar, is one of the owners of MZ Wishtown and has been taken into custody by the Knowledge Park police station as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged criminal negligence. Police said they are also searching for other individuals linked to the project.
Tragic Incident Amid Allegations of Negligence
The accident occurred on Friday night when Mehta was returning home from his office in Gurugram. His SUV reportedly lost control on a foggy service road and fell into a large pit dug for a long-abandoned construction project. The pit, which had been filled with rainwater for years, was left uncovered and without sufficient safety barriers.
Mehta managed to exit his vehicle and called his father, pleading for help, according to eyewitness accounts. Despite rescue efforts by police, fire brigade personnel and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), thick fog and the depth of the water hampered the operation. After several hours, Mehta was pulled from the pit and pronounced dead.
Official Action and Public Outcry
Following the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the circumstances of Mehta’s death and ordered a report within five days. The Sit was constituted after rising public outrage over apparent safety lapses at the unmarked construction site.
Authorities also removed the Noida Authority CEO and have initiated departmental action against officials responsible for road and construction oversight. The father of the deceased has filed an FIR against the builders, accusing them of failing to provide basic safety measures such as barricades, reflectors and warning signs near the excavation site.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reacted to the tragedy on social media, lamenting what he described as “India’s urban collapse” and calling for accountability.
Safety Concerns and Community Response
Locals, residents and motorists in the area have protested at the site, pointing to repeated complaints about the dangerous stretch of road and lack of safety measures that went unaddressed. Some witnesses said the absence of barricading and poor visibility due to fog contributed to the fatal crash.
In related developments, separate complaints have surfaced about other near-miss incidents at the same location, underlining long-standing safety concerns in the rapidly expanding urban corridors of Noida.
The police continue to investigate the case and have stressed that action will be taken against anyone found liable for negligence that contributed to the loss of life.
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