The director of real estate company Wiztown Planners, Abhay Kumar, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, who fell into a waterlogged trench in Sector 150, Noida.
Police stated that the commercial plot where the trench was dug belonged to Wiztown. Kumar, a resident of Commonwealth Games Village, Delhi, has been charged under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 106-1 (causing death by negligence), and 125 (rashness or negligence endangering human life).
Mehta, driving home to Tata Eureka Park in dense fog, lost control at a 90-degree turn near the trench, crashed through the fragile perimeter wall, and fell in, dying while awaiting rescue. Witnesses reported that over 100 people watched but initial rescuers, including police and fire personnel, did not enter the trench due to lack of equipment or swimming skills. A delivery rider named Moninder attempted to wade in but could not reach Mehta.
Following public outcry, an FIR against Wiztown was filed, and the UP government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday. The SIT, led by ADG Meerut Zone Bhanu Bhaskar, inspected the site, reviewed road safety arrangements, and questioned officials from the Noida Authority, including police commissioner Laxmi Singh, district magistrate Medha Rupam, and additional CEO Krishna Karunesh.
Yuvraj’s father, Raj Mehta, provided a detailed eyewitness account, highlighting failures in the rescue effort. Bhaskar told the press the SIT will examine all aspects within five days to determine responsibility and preventive measures, including the role of civic and police authorities.
Abhay Kumar, who also promotes Griha Pravesh Buildteck and has held roles in BPJ IT Park and Abhay Prop Management, was remanded in judicial custody for a day and will appear in court again on Wednesday.
Gautam Budh Nagar MP Dr Mahesh Sharma visited the site and met Raj Mehta, assuring that “strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty” during the investigation.
