Noida techie’s death: Even authorities unsure who owns the site where Yuvraj Mehta drowned

The police had filed an FIR against two real estate developers -- M/s Wishtown Planners and Lotus Greens

• Techie Yuvraj Mehta died after his car fell into an unbarricaded pit in Noida
• Land ownership of the accident site remains unclear amid documentation gaps
• FIR filed against two developers; SIT formed to investigate negligence

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The tragic demise of Yuvraj Mehta, 27-year-old techie, in Noida’s sector 150 has raised questions over glaring gaps in land documentation, as authorities struggle to determine the ownership of the plot where the fatal accident occurred.

Mehta’s car plunged into a water-filled pit at a construction site in Noida’s sector 150 on January 16 night while he was on his way back from work. He was just minutes away from his home when his car skidded in dense fog, broke a drain boundary and fell into a deep, waterlogged pit, which was reportedly dug for the basement of an under-construction commercial complex near a drain.

The pit was virtually invisible in the dense fog, lacking any barricades, reflectors or warning lights despite repeated warnings about the risk. Stranded atop his car, the young professional pleaded for help for nearly two hours as rescue personnel and his anguished father looked on. He eventually fell victim to civic neglect, and his body was recovered at about 4.30 am on January 17.

CNN-News18 accessed documents showing that the site, now a large waterlogged pond, was originally allotted to Lotus Greens. The land, recorded as SC-02 and measuring roughly 13.29 lakh square metres, was intended for a private mall project before being subdivided and sold to multiple developers after 2014. The Noida Authority, however, has admitted it is unsure which builder owns the specific parcel where the accident occurred.

The situation deteriorated over the last decade as poor rainwater management and sewage inflow from nearby residential complexes turned the site into a pond. While the Irrigation Department proposed constructing a head regulator in 2015 to divert excess water into the Hindon River and the Noida Authority sanctioned Rs 1.35 million in 2016 for survey and design, the proposal was never implemented, leaving the area in a dangerous state, according to the CNN-News18 report.

“Furthermore, Mr. R.P. Singh (DGM Water, Noida) suggested that hydraulic/pneumatic gates should be used for the regulator. In view of these circumstances, an amount of ₹30.00 Lakhs is required for the survey, design, and drawing of the regulator," the report quoted a letter.

An October 2023 letter from the Irrigation Department shows that the issue was repeatedly discussed between 2015 and 2023, with officials stressing the urgent need to divert rainwater from developing sectors into the river. Despite these warnings, no action was taken, ultimately contributing to a tragedy that could have been prevented.

The police had filed an FIR against two real estate developers -- M/s Wishtown Planners and Lotus Greens -- on a complaint by the victim's father, Raj Kumar Mehta, who alleged negligence by local authorities and sought accountability.

The FIR has been lodged under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 106 (causing death by negligence) and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the police said.

While Abhay Kumar, director of of Wishtown Planners has been arrested, there was no official update as of Tuesday afternoon from the police on action against the other accused firm.

Meanwhile, a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed on the orders of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has begun its investigation.