Noida Engineer Death Case: NA CEO Removed as Yogi Government Takes Major Action, Residents reacts

Noida: In a major development in the case of an engineer’s death after drowning in a water-filled pit in Noida’s Sector-150, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken strict action against the top leadership of the Noida Authority. Noida Authority CEO Dr. Lokesh M has been removed from his post and placed on the waiting list, following widespread public outrage over alleged negligence and poor safety arrangements.

The action comes a day after local residents and housing society members held a protest march, accusing authorities of failing to secure the area and respond promptly after the accident. The victim, tech professional Yuvraj, died after his car fell into a water-filled pit, raising serious questions about infrastructure safety and emergency preparedness.

Taking cognisance of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a detailed probe. A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted and directed to submit its report within five days. The SIT is headed by the ADG of Meerut Zone, with the Divisional Commissioner of Meerut and the Chief Engineer of the PWD as its members.

Preliminary findings indicate that the incident may have occurred due to serious lapses by the Noida Authority, including a lack of barricading, absence of warning signage, and no visible emergency response mechanism at the site.

Anger is equal and its everywhere

Firing the CEO is a welcome step, but it does not address the larger issue. What about the huge open drains that have been left unattended for so long? Neither the builder nor the authorities fulfilled their responsibility. Even when the police and rescue teams reached the spot, timely and effective action could have made a difference perhaps Yuvraj would still be alive today. Cases may be closed in a few days, but the pain of parents who have lost their son will last a lifetime. Accountability must go beyond transfers and dismissals. Adequate compensation should be provided to the family and concrete measures must be taken to ensure that such negligence never costs another life.

Anita Prajapati, Gaur City

The death of an engineer in Sector-150 is, prima facie, a case of grave administrative and statutory negligence. Leaving a water-filled pit open without fencing, warning signage, or compliance with prescribed safety norms constitutes a clear breach of statutory duty by the concerned authority and contractor. The facts of the case attract Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (causing death by negligence) and reflect a direct violation of public safety and construction regulations. Public authorities cannot shift this burden onto citizens; it is neither reasonable nor lawful to expect ordinary individuals to possess life-saving skills such as swimming. Ensuring safety in public spaces is an unequivocal legal obligation of the administration. In such circumstances, departmental action alone is grossly inadequate. The incident cannot be dismissed as a mere “accident,” as doing so would be legally misleading. The existence of an unsecured, hazardous site in a public area itself amounts to criminal negligence and a blatant disregard for human life. The administration and concerned contractors were under a clear legal duty to safeguard life and property. Their failure to discharge this duty attracts penal consequences under the Indian Penal Code. Transfers, suspensions, or other limited administrative measures do not meet the threshold of accountability required in a case involving loss of life. There is an urgent need to initiate criminal prosecution against the responsible officials, engineers, and contractors, conduct an immediate safety audit of all construction and excavation sites, and establish a strict legal precedent to deter future violations. Failing this, such deaths must be viewed not as administrative lapses, but as institutional culpability.

Partish, ATS Homekraft

This is a very unfortunate and heartbreaking incident. The loss of a young life due to sheer negligence is unacceptable and deeply disturbing. While the removal of the CEO is a step, it cannot compensate for the irreversible loss suffered by Yuvraj Mehta’s family. Accountability should not stop at symbolic actions strict legal responsibility must be fixed, and systemic failures must be exposed. The Noida Authority has a clear duty to ensure public safety. Open, water-filled pits without proper barricading, warning signs, or monitoring reflect gross negligence and administrative failure. Such lapses show complete disregard for human life. The concerned spot must be immediately rectified, audited, and secured so that no citizen ever faces such danger again. A comprehensive safety audit across Noida is urgently required. Only removing officials after tragedy strikes is not governance prevention is governance. We demand transparent investigation, strict punishment for all responsible officials, and long-term corrective measures. Yuvraj Mehta’s death should not become just another forgotten statistic. His loss must lead to real reform, not just headlines. My deepest condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace. And may this tragedy finally wake up the authorities to their moral and administrative responsibilities.

Akanksha Singh, Golf City

The death of Yuvraj Mehta was not merely an accident; it was a tragic failure of the system entrusted with public safety. A young life was lost due to blatant negligence, unsafe conditions and a delayed response. While the removal of the Noida Authority CEO signals a measure of accountability, it does little to ease the family’s grief or undo this irreversible loss. What is needed now is real justice clear responsibility, strict action against those at fault and immediate systemic reforms. Human lives cannot be treated with such casual disregard, and no family should ever have to endure such a tragedy again.

Manish Tripathi, Cherry County

Very good decision by CM Yogi ji. Apart from removal of the CEO, all officers of concerned work circle and Builder/GH department should also be removed.

Manish Kumar, Supertech Eco Village 1

Residents of Sector-150 have welcomed the government’s action but say it should not stop at symbolic removals.

Following the formation of the SIT, administrative action has also been taken against the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), with its CEO and Managing Director removed from their positions, indicating a broader crackdown on institutional lapses linked to the incident.

The tragic death of engineer Yuvraj has once again highlighted long-standing concerns over infrastructure safety, monitoring of construction activities, and the overall responsiveness of civic authorities in Noida. Residents say they are now looking to the SIT report for concrete action rather than assurances.