Noida techie dies screaming for help after car plunges into 30-foot drain, case filed

A 27-year-old software engineer drowned after his speeding car plunged into a water-filled basement near Sector-150 in Greater Noida late Friday night, despite repeated cries for help and a prolonged rescue operation carried out in the presence of his father and police personnel. Police have now registered an FIR in the case based on the family’s complaint and launched an investigation into alleged negligence.

The victim, identified as Yuvraj Mehta (27), was a resident of Tata Eureka Park Society in Sector-150 and worked as a software engineer with Dunnhumby India in Gurugram’s Sector-54.

The incident occurred late Friday when Yuvraj was returning home from his Gurugram office in his Grand Vitara car. Around 500 metres before reaching his residence, his vehicle allegedly went out of control due to dense fog, broke a wall along a deep drain and fell into a water-filled basement, estimated to be around 30 feet deep.

Due to the high water level, the car overturned and began floating. Yuvraj managed to exit the vehicle and called his father, Rajkumar Mehta, informing him about the accident. His father immediately alerted Dial-112 and rushed to the spot.

Police from Knowledge Park police station, fire brigade teams, SDRF and later the NDRF were involved in the rescue operation, which stretched for nearly four-and-a-half hours. During the initial phase, Yuvraj was seen intermittently standing on top of the car, switching on his mobile torch and shouting for help.

However, darkness, dense fog and near-zero visibility hampered rescue efforts. Police and fire personnel refrained from entering the water citing extremely cold conditions and the risk posed by under-construction columns inside the basement. At around 1:45 am, Yuvraj and the car submerged completely.

The NDRF team from Ghaziabad later used a steamer and torches to retrieve him. He was rushed to Kailash Hospital in Knowledge Park, where doctors declared him dead. Family members and locals alleged delay and lack of adequate equipment during the rescue.

FIR REGISTERED AGAINST TWO BUILDERS

Based on a complaint filed by Yuvraj’s father, police have now registered an FIR at Knowledge Park police station against two real estate firms — MJ Wishtown Planner Limited and Lotus Green Construction Private Limited.

Rajkumar Mehta, a retired director of the State Bank of India, alleged that there was no barricading, reflectors or warning signage near the drain or the water-filled basement. He said residents of Sector-150 had repeatedly raised safety concerns, but no preventive measures were taken, leading to frequent accidents.

POLICE, AUTHORITY ASSURE ACTION

Joint Commissioner of Police Rajiv Narayan Mishra termed the incident extremely tragic and said police were standing with the bereaved family. He said all available rescue resources, including fire brigade cranes, searchlights, boats and SDRF personnel, were deployed, but zero visibility severely affected operations.

“Based on the complaint submitted by the victim’s family, an FIR has been registered under relevant sections at Knowledge Park police station. The incident is being investigated, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M, speaking over the phone, said the authority would act after receiving the administrative investigation report. He added that the plot where the incident occurred belonged to a private builder and was also being examined.