Eyewitness alleges police pressure to stay silent in Greater Noida techie death case
Greater Noida: A 26-year-old delivery executive, one of the key eyewitnesses in the death of software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, has alleged that police officers pressured him to avoid speaking to the media and compelled him to give a statement favourable to the police version of events.
Moninder Singh told Hindustan Times on Tuesday that he was summoned to the police station days after Mehta’s death and was allegedly instructed to stay away from public view for nearly ten days. Singh claimed that during the visit, police officers took him to a park near the Knowledge Park police station, reprimanded him for interacting with the media and made him wait there for more than four hours.
According to Singh, officers dictated what he described as a “script” and recorded a fresh video statement from him. He alleged that he was asked to state that police personnel had entered the water-filled pit and made every possible effort to rescue Mehta. “I was scared and agreed at that time, but I later decided that as an eyewitness, I should stand by the truth,” Singh said, adding that his family and local residents were supporting him.
The allegations follows the 27-year-old Yuvraj Mehta’s death, who drowned after his car fell into a rainwater-filled excavation pit on a vacant plot in Sector 150 early Saturday morning. The pit, reportedly dug for a building basement, was estimated to be more than 20 feet deep and possibly as deep as 50 feet. Residents and officials have said the site had no barricades, warning signs or reflective markers, raising serious questions about safety and civic oversight.
Singh, who lives in Sector 150, said he was on a delivery assignment around 1.50 am when he noticed police activity at the site. He reached the spot minutes after Mehta’s car had submerged. Singh said he entered the water wearing a life jacket and searched for nearly half an hour but could not locate Mehta.
A short video recorded by Singh at the site, showing what he alleged was a delayed and inadequate rescue effort, later circulated widely on social media and drew further scrutiny of the authorities’ response.
Responding to the allegations, a senior police officer, speaking to HT on condition of anonymity, said the police had not threatened Singh and added that if such claims had been made, they would be examined and verified.
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Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
