In a significant development regarding the tragic death of software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned after his car fell into a water-filled pit in Greater Noida, police have arrested two more builders. These arrests bring the total number of individuals held in connection with the case to three, as authorities continue their investigation into negligence and safety violations at construction sites.
Builders Ravi Bansal and Sachin Karnwal Taken Into Custody
Police confirmed the arrest of Ravi Bansal from Lotus Greens and Sachin Karnwal, associated with the same company. They were apprehended on January 22, 2026. Previously, Abhay Kumar, director of MZ Wiztown Planners, was arrested on January 20, 2026. All three face serious charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing death by negligence. The 27-year-old software engineer, Yuvraj Mehta, tragically lost his life when his car plunged into a 30-foot deep, water-filled pit dug for a basement in Greater Noida’s Sector 150 on the night of January 16-17, 2026. His autopsy later confirmed the cause of death as asphyxiation and heart failure.
Construction Company Offices Sealed, NGT Takes Cognizance
Following the arrests, the district administration took swift action by sealing the corporate offices of the involved construction companies, Lotus Greens Pvt Ltd and MZ Wiztown Planners. A separate First Information Report (FIR) was also filed against five officials for blatant violations of environmental and pollution norms at the construction site. Demonstrating the gravity of the incident, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and has sought detailed responses from state and local authorities regarding the safety lapses.
New Safety Measures and Citizen Helpline Initiated
In the wake of this tragedy, the Gautam Budh Nagar administration has initiated a comprehensive review of safety conditions across all construction sites in the region. To encourage public participation and report potential hazards, a dedicated WhatsApp helpline (9205559204) was launched for citizens. Furthermore, the Greater Noida Authority issued an order for an immediate overhaul of road safety measures. The authority has a history of imposing substantial fines on builders, ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹10 lakh, for various violations, underscoring the seriousness of maintaining safety standards.
