Yuvraj, a resident of the Tata Eureka Park society in Sector 150, was returning home from his Gurugram office around midnight. The visibility was near zero due to a dense winter fog.
- The Accident: Near the ATS Le Grandiose crossing, Yuvraj’s Grand Vitara skidded at a sharp 90-degree turn. Due to the lack of barricades, reflectors, or warning signs, his SUV crashed through a fragile boundary wall and plunged into a 30-foot-deep, water-filled pit.
- The SOS Call: Moments after the crash, Yuvraj managed to climb onto the roof of his sinking car and called his father, Rajkumar Mehta. “Papa, I am stuck… please come and save me,” were some of his final words.
- The Helpless Vigil: His father rushed to the spot within minutes. For nearly 90 minutes, Yuvraj flashed his phone’s torch and pleaded for help. His father and several bystanders stood just a few feet away, but the pitch-black darkness, thick fog, and the depth of the water made a rescue impossible without professional equipment.
Allegations of “Cold” Response
Public anger has centered on the alleged inaction of the first responders. While police, the fire brigade, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) arrived at the scene, witnesses claim they refused to enter the water.
“The rescue teams kept saying the water was too cold and there were iron rods inside. They stood there watching while my son was screaming for his life,” alleged Yuvraj’s father.
In a display of individual bravery, Moninder, a food delivery agent passing by, tied a rope around his waist and jumped into the freezing water. However, by the time he reached the spot where the car had submerged, Yuvraj had already gone under. His body was eventually recovered at 4:30 AM.
Autopsy and Investigation Findings
The autopsy report confirmed that Yuvraj died of asphyxiation due to drowning and suffered a cardiac failure, likely triggered by the shock of the freezing water and the trauma of the struggle.
Administrative Action and Arrests
- Arrests: Police arrested Abhay Kumar, the director of MZ Wiztown Planners, under charges of culpable homicide (Section 105 of the BNS) and causing death by negligence. The plot had been lying as an open, waterlogged trench for years without proper safety measures.
- SIT Probe: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the lapses by both the builders and the local authorities.
- Sacking of Officials: The CEO of Noida Authority, Lokesh M, was removed from his post, and a junior engineer was suspended.
A Systemic Failure
The tragedy has become a symbol of “urban collapse.” Leaders and citizens alike have criticized the “culture of greed” where developers leave hazardous construction sites unsecured. Local residents had reportedly warned the Noida Authority about this specific “death trap” multiple times over the last two years, but no action was taken until a life was lost.
Since the accident, the Noida Authority has hurriedly installed barricades and reflectors at the site a move residents describe as “too little, too late.”
