Outrage after Indian man drowns in open pit after begging for help for hours

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete January 22, 2026 at 07:49 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Yuvraj Mehta, a 27-year-old IT professional, died in Noida, India after his car plunged into an unmarked, waterlogged construction pit on Friday night. Mehta reportedly survived the initial accident and called for help for two hours before drowning. Emergency services recovered his body five hours after the accident. The incident has sparked outrage and protests, with residents accusing authorities of negligence and demanding accountability for the unmarked hazard. Police have registered cases against the real estate developers responsible for the site, and the Uttar Pradesh government has launched an investigation and removed a senior official from the local governing authority. The tragedy has also raised concerns about road safety, urban planning, and infrastructure quality in Indian cities.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

BBC 30% Cherylann Mollan 30% Delhi 50% Uttar Pradesh 50% India ×270% Noida ×680% Yuvraj Mehta ×690%

Keywords

open pit 80% urban planning 70% road safety 70% noida 70% drowning 70% negligence 60% construction site 60% infrastructure 50% accident 50% accountability 40%