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NMRC Executive Director removed after calendar features his photos

Prasad had said on Friday that there was “nothing personal, nothing commercial” in the calendar. He had added that it was all in the government interest and not personal. “It’s not as if I have printed anyone’s photo who does not hold an official post,” he had said.

3 min readNoidaJan 11, 2026 11:40 AM IST

NMRC calendar features IAS officer Lokesh M in two April photographs showing him playing the sitar and addressing an event (Express)

The Noida Authority on Friday removed Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) Executive Director Mahendra Prasad, appointing Krishna Karunesh, the Authority’s Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in his place.

On Saturday, The Indian Express reported that the official 2026 calendar of NMRC featured Prasad’s photographs on the page for July, which also happened to be the month of his birthday. In the first photograph, Prasad – also the Officer on Special Duty in Noida Authority – can be seen walking in a corridor and in the second, addressing an event. A 2014-batch IAS officer, his birthday happens to fall on July 5.

Prasad had said on Friday that there was “nothing personal, nothing commercial” in the calendar. He had added that it was all in the government interest and not personal. “It’s not as if I have printed anyone’s photo who does not hold an official post,” he had said.

In a letter dated January 9, the Authority said, “In the immediate interest of the Authority’s work, Shri Krishna Karunesh, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Noida, is nominated as the Executive Director, Noida Metro Rail Corporation, in place of Shri Mahendra Prasad, Officer on Special Duty, Noida, with immediate effect.”

As per the letter, the “said order was issued with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer, Noida and the Managing Director, Noida Metro Rail Corporation Limited”, Lokesh M, whose photographs also featured in the NMRC calendar.

The calendar carried two photographs of Lokesh M, a 2005-batch IAS officer, for the month of April. His birthday falls on April 3. In one photograph, the officer can be seen playing the sitar and in the other, addressing an event.

Lokesh M had told The Indian Express on Friday that his photographs had been used without his permission. He had also said that he had issued a “show-cause notice” to the officials concerned as soon as he came to know about the matter. The photograph was taken when he played Vande Mataram on the stage at Noida Authority’s Independence Day celebration, he had added.

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However, in a purported photograph taken recently, Lokesh M could be seen posing with the calendar that featured his photographs, while other officials clapped.

Though he did not respond to calls and messages on Saturday, an official said, “The show-cause notice was issued on the day the CEO learnt about the photographs. We are confirming when it was issued.”

Neetika Jha

Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Professional Profile Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations. Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities: 1. Environment & Public Safety "Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans. "Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people. "At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital. "Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents. 2. Crime & Legal Developments "'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused. "After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement. "Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida. 3. Human Interest & Features "'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter. "How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city. Signature Style Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. Expertise Key Coverage Areas: Damini Nath currently specializes in reporting on two crucial beats: Housing and Urban Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis and reporting on India's urban development, policy, and housing issues. Election Commission (EC): Offering authoritative coverage of electoral processes, policies, and the functioning of India's constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. Professional Background: Her extensive experience includes roles as a reporter and sub-editor, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic process from fieldwork to final production. Previous Role: Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she served as a dedicated reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau, where her reporting portfolio included: Culture Social Justice Housing and Urban Affairs The Election Commission beat (a consistent area of focus). Trustworthiness Damini Nath's decade-plus career at two of India's most respected and authoritative news institutions, The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores her commitment to factual, impartial, and high-quality reporting, establishing her as a trusted and credible source for news on urban governance and electoral matters. ... Read More

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