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Noida techie death: UP govt shunts Noida Authority CEO; CM Yogi Adityanath orders SIT probe

A 2005-batch IAS officer from Karnataka, Dr Lokesh M was appointed CEO of the Noida Authority on July 20, 2023.

3 min readNoidaUpdated: Jan 20, 2026 06:48 AM IST

Noida Authority’s CEO Dr Lokesh M (left) was removed after the death of Yuvaraj Mehta. (Express Photo enhanced with AI)

Two days after a 27-year-old software engineer drowned in a 70-foot-deep ditch in Noida’s Sector 150, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday removed Noida Authority’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lokesh M, and put him on a “waitlist”.

The government order came shortly after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of Yuvraj Mehta’s death and ordered an SIT (Special Investigation Team) probe into the incident.

The UP government said a three-member SIT, headed by Additional Director General, Meerut Zone, Bhanu Bhaskar, will inquire into the circumstances leading to the incident and submit a report within five days to the Chief Minister.

A 2005-batch IAS officer from Karnataka, Lokesh M was appointed CEO of the Noida Authority on July 20, 2023.

Also Read | After 27-year-old drowns screaming for help in Noida, residents say area death trap; cops blame builder

Around 12.30 am on Saturday, Mehta was driving back to his Noida home from his office in Gurgaon when he reportedly went off the road in the thick fog. Sources said it appeared that the car went over a low, partially broken, boundary wall and fell into an empty plot on which a deep pit had been dug for the construction of a building several years ago. The pit was filled with water.

According to his family, Mehta managed to climb out of the partially submerged car and stood on its roof, screaming for help for nearly two hours. Although his voice could be heard, he was apparently not visible in the fog.

According to sources in the Noida Police, police and fire services personnel made efforts to rescue him, even as they waited for equipment and specialists to arrive. Officials said Mehta drowned at around 2.30 am.

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The post-mortem examination on Monday revealed that Mehta died due to asphyxia followed by cardiac arrest, sources said.

Mehta, who lost his mother two years ago, lived with his father at Tata Eureka Park in Noida’s Sector 150 — about 900 metres from where he drowned. He was the sole earning member of his family.

In his complaint to the police, his father, Raj Mehta, alleged that poor visibility and the damaged boundary wall caused the car to plunge into the ditch.

Calling the incident “very tragic”, Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Rajeev Mishra had said the local police, in coordination with the Fire Brigade, took “swift action” and deployed ladders, cranes, searchlights and a makeshift boat.

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“The final rescue was ensured with the involvement of the SDRF (State Disaster Response Force). There was zero visibility at the time of the incident. Based on the written complaint filed by the victim’s family, a case has been registered. Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty,” he had said.

On Sunday, the Greater Noida Police registered an FIR against two real estate firms, based on the father’s complaint, under BNS Sections including culpable homicide, causing death by negligence, and endangering life and personal safety.

In a statement on Sunday, the Noida Authority had said a show-cause notice had been issued to those responsible for traffic-related work in the area, and the services of a junior engineer had been terminated.

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

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