The National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, has registered an application on a suo motu basis on a news report related to the drowning of a software engineer, Yuvraj Mehta, in a waterlogged trench at a commercial site in Sector 150, Nodia. The bench held that non-compliance with the environmental norms and violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The proceedings were initiated based on a news column titled “Noida CEO Removed CM orders SIT probe into techie’s Drowning” published in The Times of India dated January 20, 2026. As per the column due to fog condition the deceased took a sharp turn and fell into the trench. The land was initially given for the private mall project, but had turned into a pond as rainwater and wastewater were discharged from nearby housing societies.
The news item further pointed to long-standing inaction by the Noida Authority, despite a stormwater management plan prepared by the Irrigation Department in 2015, which proposed the construction of a head regulator to divert excess water into the Hindon River. Although funds of ₹13.05 lakh were released in 2016 for surveys and design work, the remedial measures were never implemented, leading to persistent waterlogging and flooding of basements in nearby residential complexes.
While considering the matter, the Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) observed that the facts disclosed in the news report indicate serious administrative and regulatory failures, resulting in environmental degradation and loss of human life. Relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha & Ors. (2021 SCC OnLine SC 897), The Tribunal reiterated its power to take suo motu action in matters involving environmental harm.
Accordingly, the Tribunal impleaded the Noida Authority, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Principal Secretary (Environment), Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar as respondents. Notices were issued directing them to file their replies by way of affidavits at least one week before the next hearing.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on April 10, 2026.
