Noida techie death: Developer accused of negligence arrested
Noida (PTI): Police on Tuesday arrested the director of a real estate group in connection with the death of a 27-year-old software engineer, whose car had plunged into a water-filled pit at a construction site in Noida's Sector 150, officials said.
"Abhay Kumar, director of MZ Wiztown Planners and one of the accused in the case, has been arrested from Sector 150," Additional Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida) Hemant Upadhyay said.
Yuvraj Mehta was killed in the early hours of Saturday after his car skidded in dense fog, broke a drain boundary and fell into a deep, waterlogged pit, dug for the basement of an under-construction commercial complex near a drain.
The police had filed an FIR against two real estate developers -- MZ Wiztown Planners and Lotus Greens -- on a complaint by the victim's father, Raj Kumar Mehta, who alleged negligence by local authorities and sought accountability.
While Kumar of Wiztown Planners has been arrested, there was no official update as of Tuesday afternoon from the police on action against the other accused firm.
The arrest came on a day a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the Additional Director General (ADG), Meerut Zone, Bhanu Bhaskar visited the accident site to examine the circumstances leading to the incident.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had on Monday evening ordered the constitution of the three-member SIT to probe the case, amid public outrage and allegations of negligence by officials and developers.
The state government also removed senior IAS officer Lokesh M as the Noida Authority CEO on Monday, putting him on "waitlist".
The FIR has been lodged under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 106 (causing death by negligence) and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the police said.
Investigations are continuing, the police added.
The incident has sparked allegations of negligence, inadequate safety arrangements and delays in rescue efforts, with the victim's father saying he had reached the spot along with police and other rescue personnel were also there but could not save him.
"If expert divers could have gone in, then maybe my son would have been saved. Yuvraj kept crying for help as the car drowned," he told reporters.
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Karnataka gram panchayats achieve 89% of tax collection target
Bengaluru: Gram panchayats across Karnataka have recorded a strong improvement in revenue mobilisation, realising 89% of the tax collection target for the financial year 2025-26, one of the highest levels in recent years, The Hindu reported.
According to the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, 5,943 gram panchayats reported higher collections compared to the previous year. The total tax collection stood at Rs 1,382.57 crore, marking an increase of Rs 110.04 crore from Rs 1,272.54 crore collected in 2024-25.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said state had previously secured the top position at the national level in tax collection and revenue mobilisation with respect to village panchayats, and the continued upward trend highlights the impact of “efficient administration, strict enforcement of regulations, and strengthened tax collection mechanisms.”
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In 2024-25, gram panchayats had realised 80% of the demand, collecting Rs 1,272.54 crore for the first time in the department’s history. Building on this, the state has now reached a record 89% realisation.
Highlighting district-wise performance, the minister noted that Raichur recorded 129% tax collection, while 11 districts crossed 100% realisation.
He said the improvement was driven by awareness campaigns, focused collection drives, and sustained efforts of officials at all levels, from bill collectors to senior administrators.
“Our focus over the past few years has been on improving systems, ensuring accountability, and empowering local bodies to enhance their own revenue capabilities. It is encouraging to see that every rupee collected is being reinvested into village infrastructure, public services, and local development. This is laying a strong foundation for inclusive and sustainable rural growth,” he said.
