The National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognisance of the death of a Noida-based software engineer, observing that lapses by the Noida Authority in addressing prolonged waterlogging contributed to the fatal trench accident.
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NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of the tragic death of a 27-year-old software engineer who drowned after his SUV fell into a waterlogged trench in Sector 150, Greater Noida, observing that the incident prima facie indicates serious environmental violations and administrative negligence.
The Tribunal noted that the fatal incident reflects a failure of authorities to implement environmental safeguards, amounting to a possible violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The case relates to the death of Yuvraj Mehta, a software engineer and resident of Sector 150, Greater Noida, whose vehicle plunged into a nearly 30-foot-deep water-filled pit near ATS Le Grandiose in the early hours of January 17, 2026.
According to reports, Mehta took a sharp right-angle turn during dense fog and near-zero visibility, resulting in his SUV falling into the trench. The pit, located at a commercial site originally allotted for a private mall project, had, over time, turned into a pond due to unchecked rainwater accumulation and wastewater discharge from nearby housing societies.
The post-mortem report confirmed that Mehta died due to asphyxiation and cardiac failure after struggling in icy water for nearly 90 minutes.
The matter was taken up by a Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the Tribunal, and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member, who initiated proceedings after taking note of a media report on January 20, 2026, concerning the drowning incident and the subsequent administrative action, including the constitution of an SIT.
The Tribunal observed that:
- The commercial plot had illegally transformed into a water body
- There were serious land-use violations
- Authorities failed to prevent the creation of hazardous conditions
- Environmental norms under scheduled enactments were ignored
The NGT remarked that the incident reflects a systemic lapse by the Noida Authority in implementing remedial measures, which ultimately resulted in loss of human life.
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The Tribunal took note of documents revealing that a stormwater management plan prepared by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department in 2015 remained unimplemented for nearly a decade.
Key findings:
- Proposal for a head regulator to divert excess water into the Hindon River
- ₹13.05 lakh released by the Noida Authority in 2016 for survey and design
- Despite surveys and inspections, no execution took place
- Absence of controlled outlets led to severe water stagnation and backflow
- Basements of nearby housing societies were repeatedly flooded
The NGT observed that failure to execute the project aggravated waterlogging and posed a direct threat to public safety.
An FIR has been registered against the builders responsible for maintaining the open trench, citing the absence of barricading, fencing and reflectors, failure to mark an accident-prone zone and gross negligence endangering human life
In a significant development, Abhay Kumar, Director of Wiztown Planners, was arrested. Police confirmed that the company had the plot where the trench existed.
He has been booked under sections relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence and acts endangering human life
Following widespread public outrage and protests by residents:
- The Uttar Pradesh Government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- The CEO of the Noida Authority was removed
- State authorities ordered inspections of construction-site safety and environmental compliance
The SIT is examining:
- Role of civic agencies
- Road safety and traffic management failures
- Compliance with environmental and construction norms
- Prior complaints ignored by authorities
Residents alleged that repeated warnings about the dangerous site were ignored, and barricades were installed only after protests and a candle march demanding justice for Yuvraj Mehta.
The Tribunal relied on the Supreme Court judgment in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha, which recognised the NGT’s power to take suo motu cognisance in environmental matters involving public interest.
Holding that the matter raises substantial questions relating to the environment, the NGT impleaded the Noida Authority, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Irrigation Department, Uttar Pradesh, Principal Secretary, Environment, Government of Uttar Pradesh and District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar as respondents.
The NGT has issued notice to all respondents, directing them to file replies by way of affidavits at least one week before the next hearing.
The Tribunal further directed that any official filing a reply without counsel must remain virtually present to assist the Bench.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 10, 2026.
