Noida Techie Yuvraj’s Death Case: Meet The New Noida Authority CEO, Krishna Karunesh

Senior IAS officer Krishna Karunesh has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Noida Authority, replacing Lokesh M, officials confirmed. The leadership change comes at a difficult time for the authority, which is facing strong public criticism after the death of a young software engineer in Sector 150, Noida.

Karunesh, a 2011-batch IAS officer, takes charge as questions are being raised about safety standards, administrative responsibility, and accountability in the rapidly developing area.

Why the Leadership Change Took Place

The decision to change the CEO was taken days after the tragic death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta on January 16. Yuvraj's SUV fell into a deep, water-filled pit at an under-construction site in Sector 150 late at night.

Residents alleged that the accident happened due to poor visibility caused by dense fog and the lack of basic safety arrangements at the site.

They claimed there were no barricades, warning signs, or lights near the pit. The incident led to protests, with residents holding real estate developers and the Noida Authority responsible for negligence.

Following the growing anger, IAS officer Lokesh M was removed from the post of CEO on January 19 and placed on the waiting list.

Who Is Krishna Karunesh?

Krishna Karunesh is originally from Bihar and has held several key administrative roles in Uttar Pradesh. Before his appointment as Noida Authority CEO, he served as the District Magistrate of Gorakhpur.

He has also worked as Chief Development Officer of Ghaziabad and Vice Chairman of the Ghaziabad Development Authority. In addition, he has served as District Magistrate in Hapur and Balrampur. His experience in urban development and administration is expected to play an important role as he takes charge in Noida.

Details of the Noida Techie Death Case

Yuvraj Mehta, who worked as a software engineer in Gurugram, was driving near Tata Eureka Park in Sector 150 when his vehicle plunged into a trench filled with water. Police said the pit was over 20 feet deep and poorly marked.

There were reportedly no barricades, fencing, reflectors, or warning lights at the site, making the road extremely risky, especially during winter nights when fog is common.
Family Alleges Rescue Failures

The victim's family has raised serious concerns about the rescue operation. Yuvraj's father, Raj Kumar Mehta, said his son was alive for nearly two hours after the accident and kept calling for help.

According to him, Yuvraj repeatedly shouted "papa bachao, papa bachao" during phone calls and used his mobile phone's torch to signal his location inside the pit. He alleged that several people at the site were recording videos instead of helping, and that timely rescue could have saved his son's life.

Government Action and Probe Ordered

After the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered strict action and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the SIT to submit its report within five days.

A junior engineer, Naveen Kumar, who was in charge of the Noida traffic cell, has been suspended. Notices have also been issued to other officials and construction companies linked to the site. The investigation will focus on possible negligence related to road safety and construction practices.

Challenges Before the New CEO

As Krishna Karunesh takes over, the Noida Authority remains under close watch from both the public and the government. Residents and the victim's family are demanding clear accountability, safer infrastructure, and strict punishment for those found responsible.
The outcome of the SIT probe is expected to be crucial in deciding further action and restoring public trust in the authority's functioning.