NOIDA: A 27-year-old software professional, Yuvraj Mehta, was found dead after his vehicle fell into a water-filled excavation pit near an under-construction housing project in Greater Noida, police said on Saturday. The incident has led to the arrest of Abhay Kumar, a builder linked to the site, and triggered wider scrutiny of safety lapses at construction zones across the region.
According to officials, Mehta was returning to his residence in Sector 150 late Friday night when his car lost direction on a poorly lit road and plunged into a deep pit dug for a real estate project. The excavation, partially filled with stagnant water, was located adjacent to a public road and had no barricades, warning boards or reflective markers, investigators said.
Police said dense fog and low visibility prevailed at the time of the incident. Preliminary findings suggest the vehicle breached a damaged boundary wall before falling into the pit. The car was later found submerged, with only a portion visible above the waterline.
Emergency services were alerted after Mehta contacted his family and shared his live location, officials said. Local residents and police teams reached the site, but rescue efforts were delayed due to the depth of the pit, absence of proper access equipment and poor lighting. Mehta was eventually pulled out, but doctors declared him dead.
A post-mortem examination confirmed death due to drowning. Medical officials said there were no signs of external injury suggesting foul play.
Following a complaint lodged by Mehta’s family, police registered a case citing criminal negligence and endangering life. Investigators identified the excavation as part of a private construction project and held the developer responsible for failing to secure the site.
Builder Abhay Kumar, director of a real estate firm associated with the project, was arrested after questioning. Police said Kumar failed to ensure mandatory safety measures around the excavation, despite the pit being located near a public road.
In his preliminary statement to investigators, Kumar maintained that the land had been excavated before active construction approvals were granted. Police, however, said responsibility for site safety rests with the entity in control of the property, regardless of construction status.
The case has also drawn administrative attention. Senior officials ordered an internal review of permissions granted to the project and directed local authorities to identify similar hazardous sites in the area. Officials said notices would be issued to builders found violating safety norms.
Residents of Sector 150 and nearby areas have raised concerns over unchecked construction activity and the absence of basic safeguards near large excavation pits. Several housing societies have demanded stricter enforcement and routine inspections by development authorities.
Police said further arrests are possible as the investigation continues. Authorities are examining project records, land ownership documents and correspondence with regulatory bodies to determine accountability.
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