NGT takes suo motu cognisance over Noida techie death, raps ‘lapse’ by authorities, issues notice

Taking cognisance of the Times of India news report, the bench said it indicated “laps by the Noida Authority in taking up remedial measures which resulted in the death of the person”.

NGT said that the matter indicated violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

“The above matter indicates violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment,” it added.

The NGT impleaded the following parties to the case-

(1) Noida Authority, Administrative Complex Sector 6, Noida – 201301, District. Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India.

(2) Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Building. No. TC-12V, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow – 226010.

(3) Irrigation Department, Government of UP, 589kha/616, VIP Rd Awadh Nagar, Dwaraka Puri, VIP Rd, Awadh Nagar, Dwaraka Puri, Telibagh, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226002.

(4) Principal Secretary, Environment, Government of U.P., Room No. 601, Bapu Bhawan, Secretariat, Vidhan Sabha Marg, Lucknow – 226001.

(5) District Magistrate, G.B. Nagar (UP), Plot Number G 28, Near Kailash Hospital, Tulsi Marg, Sector 27, Noida-201301, Uttar Pradesh.

Background

Around midnight on Friday, Yuvraj (27) was driving to his home in Noida’s Sector 150 from Gurgaon through dense fog. Less than a kilometre from home, his Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara went off the dark road, over a low, partially broken boundary wall, and plunged into the pit filled with water.

According to the victim’s family, Yuvraj managed to climb out of the partially submerged car and stood atop its roof, screaming for help for nearly two hours before he drowned.

The police, who were present at the spot, did not enter the water to rescue him. Knowledge Park Station House Officer (SHO) Sarvesh Singh told The Indian Express that they were hesitant because they suspected the ditch was an excavation done at a construction site, and could contain submerged iron rods.

Yuvraj, who had lost his mother two years ago, lived with his father at Tata Eureka Park housing society in Sector 150. He was the sole earning member of the family.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday removed Noida Authority’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lokesh M, and put him on a “waitlist”.

On Wednesday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the accident spent several hours at the Noida Authority headquarters in Sector 6, questioning both senior officials and junior staff, officials said.

Bhaskar told The Indian Express that the SIT was investigating three main angles: “The cause of the death, who were responsible, and the ways to ensure that such an incident is not repeated.” The SIT would submit its report within five days, Bhaskar said.