BREAKING | NGT Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Techie's Drowning In Noida Ditch, Says “Lapses By Authorities Led To Death”

The National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognizance of the death of a software engineer who drowned in a waterlogged trench in Noida, observing that lapses by authorities in taking remedial measures resulted in the fatal incident and that the matter indicates violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

A Bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, with Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member, registered an original application based on a news report titled “Noida CEO Removed CM orders SIT probe into techie's Drowning” published in The Times of India on January 20, 2026.

According to the news item, the deceased, software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, drowned after falling into a waterlogged trench at a commercial site in Sector 150, Noida. The report noted that Mehta took a sharp right-angle turn and, owing to foggy conditions, fell into the trench.

The land where the incident occurred was initially allotted for a private mall project but had, over the years, turned into a pond as rainwater and wastewater from nearby housing societies were allowed to accumulate for nearly a decade.

Lapses by authorities

The Tribunal recorded that as per the news article, a storm water management plan prepared by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department in 2015 remained unimplemented despite multiple surveys and site inspections. Documents assessed showed that the Irrigation Department had proposed a head regulator to divert excess water into the Hindon river and had received Rs. 13.05 lakh from the Noida Authority in 2016 for survey and design preparation.

However, delays in executing remedial measures led to severe waterlogging in the area. Basements of several nearby housing societies were reportedly flooded, as rainwater could not be discharged into the river in the absence of a regulator. The NGT noted that without a controlled outlet, water stagnated, increasing the risk of backflow.

“The news item indicates lapse by the Noida Authority in taking up remedial measures which resulted in the death of the person,” the Tribunal observed.

Violation Of Environmental Law

The Bench held that the matter prima facie indicates a violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and raises substantial issues concerning compliance with environmental norms and the implementation of scheduled enactments.

The Tribunal also referred to the Supreme Court's ruling in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha, which recognised the NGT's power to take up matters suo motu.

The NGT impleaded the following authorities as respondents:

Noida Authority

Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Lucknow

Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh

Principal Secretary, Environment, Government of Uttar Pradesh

District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar

Notice has been issued to all respondents to file their replies by way of affidavits at least one week before the next date of hearing. The Tribunal directed that if any respondent files a reply directly without routing it through counsel, the concerned official must remain virtually present to assist the Bench.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 10, 2026.