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The tragic death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta in Greater Noida’s Sector 150 has sparked anger over administrative negligence, poor infrastructure and delay in emergency response. On the night of January 16–17, 2026, Mehta was returning home from work in Gurugram when his Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara went off the road amid dense fog, hit a broken boundary wall, and fell into a water-filled pit—dug for the basement of an under-construction building—about 20-30 feet deep.

Mehta survived the initial collision, climbed onto the roof of the car, and called his father Rajkumar Mehta at around 12:20 a.m., turning on his phone’s torch and signaling desperately for help. He pleaded, “Papa, please save me, I have fallen into the drain—I don’t want to die.” His father alerted the police on 112, and teams from the local police, fire service, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived, but the operation ran into problems.

Family and witnesses, including delivery agent Mohinder—who bravely waded into the cold water himself—alleged that rescuers were hesitant to enter the water, citing cold temperatures, poor visibility, submerged iron rods, and inadequate equipment (e.g., a crane that only reached 40 feet). Mehta struggled for about 80-90 minutes and then drowned. His body was recovered about five hours later, around 4–4:30 am, with the autopsy citing asphyxia by drowning and cardiac arrest as the cause of death.

An FIR has been registered against the two builders under sections of culpable homicide and causing death by negligence for negligence, including lack of barricades, reflectors and safety measures. A junior engineer was suspended, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a three-member SIT probe, while Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M was removed from his post.

The incident highlights the shortcomings of the system: the dangers of unrestricted construction, safety barriers missing despite residents’ complaints, and rescue teams prioritizing their personal safety over immediate action. A civilian delivery worker showed more initiative than trained officials. As protests and demands for accountability grow, this case highlights how neglect of infrastructure and bureaucratic slowness can turn preventable accidents into irreparable tragedies—leaving families in mourning while systemic reforms remain in place.