Law Notify : The National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognizance of the death of a 27-year-old software engineer who drowned after his car fell into a water-filled trench in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, observing that the incident prima facie disclosed violations of environmental laws and serious administrative lapses in stormwater management.
The 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 of 2026 and was heard on 22 January 2026.
The order was passed by a Bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the Tribunal, along with Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member. The Bench noted that the facts reported in the news item raised substantial questions concerning compliance with environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
According to the material placed before the Tribunal, the incident occurred at a commercial site in Sector 150, Noida, where the victim, Yuvraj Mehta, lost his life after his vehicle plunged into a waterlogged trench during dense fog. The land in question had originally been allotted for a private mall project but remained undeveloped for nearly a decade. During this period, rainwater and wastewater from adjoining housing societies were allegedly allowed to accumulate, converting the site into a stagnant water body.
The Tribunal recorded 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 released ₹13.05 lakh for conducting surveys and preparing the design of the proposed regulator. Despite repeated surveys and site inspections, the proposed system was never executed.
The news report further indicated that the proposed system was designed to receive stormwater from existing drains, potentially increasing discharge, and suggested the use of hydraulic or pneumatic gates instead of mechanical ones. However, due to lack of follow-up and implementation, waterlogging in the area persisted. During heavy rainfall, basements of nearby housing societies were reportedly flooded as excess water could not be discharged into the river in the absence of a functional regulator. Residents had repeatedly complained of inaction by the Noida Authority.
Taking note 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 loss of life. It held that the matter indicated a violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and raised serious environmental concerns relating 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 Noida Authority, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the Irrigation Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Principal Secretary (Environment), Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar, as respondents. All respondents have been directed to file their replies by way of affidavits at least one week before the next date of hearing. The Tribunal 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 Bench.
The matter is listed for further hearing on 10 April 2026.
