Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised the government over the death of a Noida-based software engineer, using the term “TINA” — There Is No Accountability — to underline what he described as systemic failure in urban governance.
‘Not lack of money, but lack of accountability’
In a post on X, Gandhi said the tragedy reflected deeper issues in India’s cities.
“India’s urban collapse isn’t about lack of money, technology, or solutions. It’s about lack of accountability. TINA: There Is No Accountability,” he wrote.
The remarks came after the death of Yuvraj Mehta (27), a software engineer whose car plunged into a water-filled pit in Sector 150 of Greater Noida late Friday night.
Circumstances of the incident
Mehta’s vehicle reportedly skidded off the road amid dense fog and fell into a pit over 20 feet deep. His family alleged that the location was accident-prone and that repeated requests to install barricades, reflectors, and warning signs had been ignored.
An FIR has since been registered against two real estate developers in connection with the incident.
Rescue delay allegations
Mehta’s father accused the police and other agencies of failing to rescue his son in time, claiming that although Yuvraj was alive and crying for help when police reached the site, no immediate rescue could be carried out as officers did not know how to swim.
A senior police officer later told The Times of India that swimming skills are not a mandatory requirement for police personnel.
Government action announced
Following public outrage, the Uttar Pradesh government removed Lokesh M, the CEO of the Noida Authority, and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident.
The SIT will be headed by Bhanu Bhaskar, Additional Director General of Police, Meerut Zone. Divisional Commissioner Bhanu Chandra Goswami and the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department are the other members.
The team has been directed to submit its report to the Chief Minister within five days.
Debate on urban safety intensifies
The incident has reignited national debate on urban safety, civic responsibility, and accountability of authorities, with opposition leaders demanding systemic reforms to prevent such avoidable tragedies.