The National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident in which a 27-year-old software engineer drowned after his car fell into a water-filled trench in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The Tribunal observed that the incident prima facie disclosed violations of environmental laws and serious lapses by authorities in addressing long-standing waterlogging issues, warranting judicial intervention. The suo motu proceedings were initiated on the basis of a news report titled “Noida CEO Removed CM orders SIT probe into techie’s Drowning” published in The Times of India on 20 January 2026. The matter has been registered as Original Application No. 52/2026.
The order was passed by a Bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, along with Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member. The Tribunal noted that the facts reported in the news item raised substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms and implementation of provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
According to the news report taken on record, the incident occurred in Sector 150, Noida, when the victim, Yuvraj Mehta, was driving his car in dense fog and took a sharp right turn, causing the vehicle to fall into a waterlogged trench. The site of the incident was originally allotted for a private mall project but had remained undeveloped for several years. During this period, rainwater and wastewater from nearby housing societies were allegedly allowed to accumulate at the site, converting it into a stagnant water body.
The Tribunal noted that records indicated that as early as 2015, the Irrigation Department of Uttar Pradesh had prepared a stormwater management plan to address chronic waterlogging in the area. The plan envisaged construction of a head regulator to divert excess stormwater into the Hindon River. In 2016, the Noida Authority had released ₹13.05 lakh for conducting surveys and preparing the design of the proposed regulator.
Despite multiple surveys and site inspections, the proposed stormwater management system was never implemented. The news report further suggested that the system was designed to receive stormwater from existing drains, potentially increasing discharge, and recommended the use of hydraulic or pneumatic gates instead of mechanical ones. However, due to lack of follow-up and execution, waterlogging continued unabated in the area.
The Tribunal took note of reports that during heavy rainfall, basements of nearby housing societies were frequently flooded as excess water could not be discharged into the river in the absence of a functional regulator. Residents of the area had reportedly raised repeated complaints regarding persistent waterlogging and alleged inaction on the part of the Noida Authority.
Taking cognizance of these circumstances, the Tribunal observed that the incident pointed to lapses on the part of the Noida Authority in taking timely remedial measures, which ultimately resulted in the loss of life. It recorded that the matter indicated violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and raised serious environmental concerns linked to stormwater management and regulatory compliance.
The Bench reiterated that it was empowered to initiate proceedings suo motu, relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha & Ors. (2021), which recognised the Tribunal’s authority to take cognizance of environmental issues of public importance even in the absence of a formal application. Accordingly, the Tribunal impleaded the following authorities as respondents in the proceedings:
The Noida Authority;
The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board;
The Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh;
The Principal Secretary (Environment), Government of Uttar Pradesh; and
The Tribunal directed all five respondents to file their replies by way of affidavits at least one week before the next date of hearing. It also clarified that if any authority files a response without being represented by counsel, the concerned official would be required to remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal. The matter has been listed for further hearing on 10 April 2026.
Cause Title: News Item Titled "Noida CEO Removed CM orders SIT probe into techie’s Drowning" appearing in The Times of India dated 20.01.2026
Case No: Original Application No. 52/2026
Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson Hon’ble Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member
