Noida, Uttar Pradesh: IAS officer Dr. Lokesh M, who served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida Authority, has been removed from his position and placed on a waiting list following a tragic incident in Sector-150. On the night of January 17, 2026, a software engineer drowned in a construction pit, prompting the Yogi Adityanath government to take swift action.
The Chief Minister directed the removal of Dr. Lokesh M from his CEO post, and a three-member SIT has been formed under the supervision of ADG, Meerut Zone, including the Meerut Divisional Commissioner and Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department. The SIT will investigate the circumstances of the incident, departmental roles, negligence, and measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
About Dr. Lokesh M
Born on April 4, 1976, in Bangalore, Dr. Lokesh M initially pursued BDS studies and became a dentist. Later, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2005 and joined the IAS, Uttar Pradesh cadre. He served in various administrative capacities, including:
- Assistant Magistrate, Aligarh (2006)
- Joint Magistrate, Saharanpur (2007)
- District Magistrate, Kaushambi, Amroha, Ghazipur, Etah, Kushinagar, Mainpuri
- Divisional Commissioner, Saharanpur (2021)
- Divisional Commissioner, Kanpur before assuming CEO role at Noida Authority
Dr. Lokesh served as Noida Authority CEO for nearly 30 months. At the start of 2026, he became embroiled in controversy after a calendar released by Noida Metro Rail Corporation featured a photo of him playing the guitar, attracting public criticism. The recent fatality of engineer Yuvraj Mehta in a construction pit intensified the scrutiny on him.
Incident Details
Post-mortem reports indicate that Yuvraj Mehta died due to asphyxiation, with his lungs filled with water, suggesting he was submerged for a prolonged period. Doctors noted that extreme stress, cold, and delayed assistance led to a heart attack. Yuvraj’s ashes were immersed in the Ganga at Haridwar by his family.
SIT Investigation
The SIT is expected to begin work immediately, examining drainage systems, road construction quality, warning signage, and emergency response mechanisms in the area. The government has assured strict action against those found responsible.
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