Following the removal of Lokesh M., senior IAS officer Krishna Karunesh has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Noida Authority. The appointment, made on Saturday, comes in the wake of the tragic death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, which has sparked serious questions about negligence and civic lapses within the authority.
Yuvraj Mehta died after his car plunged into a water-filled ditch in Noida's Sector-150. The incident occurred on January 20, 2026, amidst dense fog, when Mehta reportedly lost control of his car at a sharp turn, crashing through a perimeter wall into the waterlogged plot. His father, Rajkumar Mehta, who arrived at the scene following an SOS call from his son, alleged that approximately 80 people were present but none attempted a rescue.
The Uttar Pradesh government swiftly responded to the incident by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances surrounding Mehta's death. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the SIT to submit its report within five days, highlighting the urgency and seriousness with which the case is being treated. In addition to removing Lokesh M. from his post, the government also terminated the services of a junior engineer and police arrested a builder-cum-developer on charges of criminal negligence.
The SIT, led by ADG of Meerut Zone Bhanu Bhaskar, includes the Meerut divisional commissioner and the chief engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD). The team has been actively gathering information, meeting with concerned officials, and inspecting the accident site. On Tuesday, the SIT visited the Noida Authority office, where they questioned Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh, District Magistrate Medha Roopam, and then Additional CEO Krishna Karunesh. Rajkumar Mehta, Yuvraj's father, also provided a detailed eyewitness account to the SIT.
ADG Bhanu Bhaskar stated that the investigation would be conducted in three phases, beginning with speaking to all authorities to understand where the fault lies. The SIT is examining all aspects of the case, including identifying lapses and determining what preventive measures could have been taken to avoid the accident.
Krishna Karunesh, a 2011 batch IAS officer, brings a wealth of experience to his new role as CEO of the Noida Authority. Prior to this appointment, he served as the District Magistrate & Collector of Gorakhpur, where he focused on governance, infrastructure development, and public service delivery. He previously served as Additional CEO of NOIDA. Karunesh holds degrees in Geography, Law, and Public Policy. His diverse academic background and experience in various administrative roles are expected to be valuable assets as he takes on the challenges facing the Noida Authority.
The appointment of Krishna Karunesh comes at a critical time for the Noida Authority, as it faces intense scrutiny following the tragic death of Yuvraj Mehta. The new CEO will be tasked with addressing the concerns raised about negligence and ensuring that necessary safety measures are implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. The ongoing SIT investigation and its findings will likely play a significant role in shaping the Authority's response and future course of action.
