. NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of the death of a 27-year-old software engineer who drowned after his SUV fell into a waterlogged trench at a commercial site in Greater Noida. The tribunal observed that the incident indicates serious environmental violations and regulatory lapses.The tribunal also highlighted that the land where the accident occurred had originally been allotted for a private mall project but, over the years, had turned into a pond due to unchecked accumulation of rainwater and discharge of wastewater from nearby housing societies, news agency ANI reported.Taking note of a media report on the incident, the NGT said that the transformation of the commercial plot into a waterbody raised questions over land-use violations, environmental degradation and the failure of authorities to prevent hazardous conditions at the site.The case relates to the death of Yuvraj Mehta, a software engineer and resident of Sector 150, Greater Noida, whose car plunged into a nearly 30-foot-deep, water-filled pit near ATS Le Grandiose in the early hours of January 17 amid dense fog and poor visibility.According to the post-mortem report, Mehta died due to asphyxiation and cardiac failure. Trapped in the icy water, he struggled to survive for nearly 90 minutes. He managed to climb onto the roof of his sinking vehicle, flashed his mobile phone’s torch repeatedly and called his father in a desperate attempt to seek help.Rescue operations involving the police, fire brigade, SDRF and NDRF were launched but were severely hampered by near-zero visibility, deep water and inadequate equipment. A delivery worker who reached the spot jumped into the trench in an attempt to save Mehta but was unable to locate him. His body was recovered around 4.30 am.An FIR has been registered against the builders responsible for the open pit, citing serious negligence, including the absence of barricading, fencing and reflectors at the accident-prone turn. Show-cause notices have also been issued to officials responsible for traffic management in the area.In a significant development, the director of Wiztown Planners, Abhay Kumar, was arrested on Tuesday. Police said the commercial plot where the trench existed was in the possession of the company. Kumar has been booked under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence, and acts endangering human life.Following public outrage and protests by residents, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incident. The Noida Authority’s CEO was removed, and inspections of construction-site safety measures were ordered.The SIT has begun recording statements of officials, developers and eyewitnesses and is examining the role of civic agencies, road safety arrangements and compliance with construction and environmental norms.Residents have alleged that repeated warnings about the dangerous condition of the site were ignored. Barricades were installed only after protests and a candle march demanding justice for Mehta.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIAS Officer Sanjeev Khirwar, Who Was Shunted Out Over Dog Walk Row, Returns As Delhi MCD Chief1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: Delhi Court Acquits Ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar In Vikaspuri, Janakpuri Case‘Our Neighbour Did Incredibly Well’: India Tech Funding Question Puts Pak Minister On Spot In Davos’India’s Growth Faces Bigger Risk From Pollution Than Trump Tariffs’, Says IMF’s Gita GopinathItaly Says India-EU FTA Is About Trust, Talent And Technology, Not Just Tariffs For Global GrowthAt Davos, Pakistan Seeks More Funds, PM Sharif Calls For Reforms, While His FM Admit Misuse of DebtProtest Held Outside UK Parliament Demanding Labour Govt To Press Bangladesh Over Hindu PersecutionIndia To Grow 6 To 8% In Real Terms In Next 5 Years: Ashwini Vaishnaw At DavosIndia Pushes Urgent Security Council Reform At UN, Says Status Quo Is Fueling Conflict And Misery’China Had A Free Pass, India Won’t’: Sunil Mittal Explains Why India Will Still Win Global Trade123Photostories’Border’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Delhi 6’: Famous Bollywood movies shot in Rajasthan you may not have known aboutThe 50: From a royal entrance to classy bedrooms- A glimpse of the house where the contestants are going to stayHow songs like ‘Exotic’, ‘Tum Kya Mile’ and ‘Desi Girl’ turned Bollywood into a runway of iconic style momentsWith ‘Toxic’ marking Kiara Advani’s Kannada debut, more Bollywood actors step into South Indian cinema in 2026- Here’s what you need to knowDelhi underground marvel: Pulbangash-Sadar bazaar tunnel in action10 desi Indian dishes among Top 100 Potato Dishes in the worldTaylor Swift’s best movie cameos that stole every scene: ‘Hannah Montana: The Movie’, ‘The Lorax’, and moreBengaluru’s traffic woes go global: City ranks 2nd, Pune 5th most congested5 Best period-drama series to stream now on Apple TV+5 times your soul knows the truth long before your mind accepts it123Hot PicksBoard of PeaceBudget 2026Budget 2026 ExpectationsGold price predictionBengaluru AirportPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingAbhishek SharmaTyler Glasnow Net WorthAaron Judge and Samantha Bracksiecks Age DifferenceJuan Soto Net WorthNico Hoerner Net WorthGiannis AntetokounmpoIBPS RRB PO Mains ResultJosh Allen InjuryFortnite Down V39.30 UpdateDrake Maye
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of the death of a 27-year-old software engineer who drowned after his SUV fell into a waterlogged trench at a commercial site in Greater Noida. The tribunal observed that the incident indicates serious environmental violations and regulatory lapses.The tribunal also highlighted that the land where the accident occurred had originally been allotted for a private mall project but, over the years, had turned into a pond due to unchecked accumulation of rainwater and discharge of wastewater from nearby housing societies, news agency ANI reported.Taking note of a media report on the incident, the NGT said that the transformation of the commercial plot into a waterbody raised questions over land-use violations, environmental degradation and the failure of authorities to prevent hazardous conditions at the site.The case relates to the death of Yuvraj Mehta, a software engineer and resident of Sector 150, Greater Noida, whose car plunged into a nearly 30-foot-deep, water-filled pit near ATS Le Grandiose in the early hours of January 17 amid dense fog and poor visibility.According to the post-mortem report, Mehta died due to asphyxiation and cardiac failure. Trapped in the icy water, he struggled to survive for nearly 90 minutes. He managed to climb onto the roof of his sinking vehicle, flashed his mobile phone’s torch repeatedly and called his father in a desperate attempt to seek help.Rescue operations involving the police, fire brigade, SDRF and NDRF were launched but were severely hampered by near-zero visibility, deep water and inadequate equipment. A delivery worker who reached the spot jumped into the trench in an attempt to save Mehta but was unable to locate him. His body was recovered around 4.30 am.An FIR has been registered against the builders responsible for the open pit, citing serious negligence, including the absence of barricading, fencing and reflectors at the accident-prone turn. Show-cause notices have also been issued to officials responsible for traffic management in the area.In a significant development, the director of Wiztown Planners, Abhay Kumar, was arrested on Tuesday. Police said the commercial plot where the trench existed was in the possession of the company. Kumar has been booked under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence, and acts endangering human life.Following public outrage and protests by residents, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incident. The Noida Authority’s CEO was removed, and inspections of construction-site safety measures were ordered.The SIT has begun recording statements of officials, developers and eyewitnesses and is examining the role of civic agencies, road safety arrangements and compliance with construction and environmental norms.Residents have alleged that repeated warnings about the dangerous condition of the site were ignored. Barricades were installed only after protests and a candle march demanding justice for Mehta.
