A real estate developer has been arrested in connection with the death of a 27-year-old software engineer whose car plunged into a water-filled excavation pit in Sector 150 of Greater Noida, police said on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred on a vacant plot, has sparked widespread outrage over alleged civic negligence and safety lapses at construction sites.

The victim, identified as Yuvraj Mehta, drowned after his vehicle fell into the deep pit, which had reportedly been excavated for a building’s basement. The pit was filled with rainwater at the time of the incident, severely limiting visibility and complicating rescue efforts, according to officials and local reports.

Police said the builder, Abhay Kumar, was taken into custody by the Knowledge Park Police following inputs from manual intelligence and confidential information. The arrest was made days after the incident, amid mounting public pressure and questions over accountability for the hazardous condition of the site.

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According to preliminary assessments, the excavation pit was more than 20 feet deep, with some estimates suggesting it could have been as deep as 50 feet. Investigators noted that the pit was left uncovered and unfenced, with no barricades, warning signs, or reflective markers to alert motorists or pedestrians to the danger.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of construction practices in the region, particularly the failure to implement basic safety measures at active or abandoned sites. Residents and civic activists have alleged that the lack of proper oversight and enforcement contributed directly to the fatal accident.

Authorities said further investigation is underway to determine the extent of negligence and whether additional individuals or entities bear responsibility. The case has renewed calls for stricter monitoring of construction activities and mandatory safety compliance to prevent similar tragedies in rapidly developing urban areas.

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