Yuvraj Mehta, a 27-year-old software engineer, tragically drowned in Noida's Sector 150 after his car plunged into a deep, water-filled excavation pit late on Friday night, January 17, 2026. Returning home from Gurugram amidst dense fog and poor visibility, his Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara veered off the road near ATS Le Grandiose and crashed into the pit, which was reportedly 50-70 feet deep and lacked proper barricades or reflective warnings. After the accident, Yuvraj managed to climb onto the roof of his partially submerged car and desperately called his father, Raj Kumar Mehta, sharing his location and pleading for help. His father, along with local police, arrived at the scene shortly after. However, eyewitnesses and Yuvraj's father alleged severe delays and inaction from the rescue teams. It is reported that Yuvraj struggled for nearly two hours, screaming for help, while police personnel allegedly hesitated to enter the cold, dangerous water, citing lack of swimmers and potential hazards. Rescue efforts, involving local police, fire department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were hampered by the fog, water depth, and inadequate equipment, reportedly taking several hours before Yuvraj's body was recovered around 4:30 AM. The autopsy report confirmed Yuvraj died of asphyxiation due to drowning, followed by cardiac arrest. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and prompted significant government action. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the circumstances of the accident, with a report due in five days. Subsequently, the Noida Authority CEO, M Lokesh, was removed, and a junior engineer was sacked, with show-cause notices issued to other traffic work officials. An FIR for culpable homicide and negligence has been registered against two real estate developers, MZ Wishtown Planners and Lotus Greens Construction, for the absence of safety measures around the construction pit. Residents have protested, highlighting past unaddressed complaints about the lack of barricades and reflectors in the area.