CBI Intensifies Sports City Investigation Following Techie's Tragic Death in Noida
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has significantly escalated its probe into the controversial Noida Sports City project following the tragic death of 25-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta. The incident has brought renewed scrutiny to alleged irregularities surrounding the ambitious development scheme, with Wiztown Planners Pvt Ltd emerging as a central focus of the investigation.
Fatal Incident Triggers Expanded Probe
In the early hours of January 16, 2025, Yuvraj Mehta's car plunged into a waterlogged, swamp-like plot in Sector 150 of Noida. Investigators have determined that this land parcel is linked to Wiztown Planners, one of the entities created through the subdivision of the original Sports City allotment. Following this tragic incident, the CBI formally broadened the scope of its ongoing investigation into the Sports City–02 project and brought Wiztown directly into the spotlight.
The agency took over the investigation following directions from the Allahabad High Court and lodged multiple FIRs in March 2025, with Wiztown being named among the accused developers. In a significant development, the CBI recently took custody of the complete project file of Wiztown from the Noida Authority, marking a crucial escalation in the probe.
Financial Irregularities and Arrests
Official sources have confirmed that the Wiztown land parcel measures approximately 27,000 square metres, with outstanding dues of nearly ₹129 crore payable to the Noida Authority. The director of Wiztown Planners Pvt Ltd, Abhay Kumar, was arrested in connection with Mehta's death as investigators examined whether alleged negligence, regulatory lapses, and unauthorized land use contributed to the fatal incident.
Complex Origins of Wiztown's Involvement
The origins of Wiztown's involvement trace back to a complex restructuring of the Sports City–02 project in Sector 150. In March 2016, the Noida Authority allotted additional land to the lead developer, M/s Lotus Green Constructions Pvt Ltd, which subsequently sought repeated "zero period" concessions citing lack of peaceful possession and encroachments. While limited concessions were granted until September 2016, the authority clearly ruled out any further extensions.
In January 2017, a consolidated integrated development map for Sports City–02 received approval. Following this, the consortium sought subdivision of the land among multiple companies, claiming them to be wholly owned subsidiaries. Over time, the original seven consortium members expanded into 24 separate entities, with Wiztown Planners Pvt Ltd being carved out during this subdivision process.
Under the approved plan, Wiztown was allotted Plot No SC-02/A3 in Sector 150, measuring 27,185 square metres with a permissible built-up area of approximately 31,326 square metres as per FAR norms. The sanctioned layout specifically prohibited residential or commercial construction on the Wiztown plot, instead earmarking portions for sports or community facilities and open green spaces—essential conditions of the Sports City scheme.
Project Delays and Alleged Deviations
Despite these approvals, investigators discovered that the Sports City project failed to progress within prescribed timelines. Sports infrastructure and allied facilities, meant to be developed as a priority, remained largely incomplete. The lead developer later claimed that lease deeds for subdivided plots were not fully executed, preventing construction—a contention strongly disputed by the Noida Authority.
CBI officials allege that several subsidiary companies, including Wiztown, were incorporated shortly before or during the allotment process and later transferred or sold without mandatory approvals. Investigators suspect this may point to a larger design to commercially exploit land value escalation while diluting responsibility for building sports infrastructure.
The agency is now examining whether Wiztown and similar entities were used as vehicles to fragment liabilities and facilitate unauthorized transfers. Meanwhile, collective dues of the consortium, once estimated at over ₹1,200 crore, are now believed to have crossed ₹2,700 crore with accrued interest.
Audit Revelations and Systemic Failures
The tragic death of Yuvraj Mehta has brought renewed attention to long-standing warnings flagged by audit bodies and courts. A comprehensive audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) laid bare the scale of alleged irregularities in the Noida Sports City project.
In its report tabled in September 2020, the CAG concluded that systemic lapses and violations caused a massive financial loss of nearly ₹9,000 crore to the Noida Authority and the Uttar Pradesh government. The audit flagged glaring deficiencies at every stage, from allotment to implementation and development of the Sports City.
Key findings from the CAG report include:
- The Noida Authority grossly mispriced land earmarked for the project, resulting in substantial revenue loss to the public exchequer
- Contrary to the scheme brochure which allowed subdivision only of residential and commercial components, the authority permitted subdivision of entire Sports City plots including land reserved exclusively for sports infrastructure
- Land parcels were allotted in violation of mandatory screening norms, ignoring bidders' technical qualifications, turnover, and net worth
- The lead consortium member with the highest financial stake was later ousted, and plots were distributed among multiple companies which individually did not meet eligibility criteria
- The project brochure lacked clear specifications for sports facilities
- The authority failed to recover instalments, lease rent, and transfer charges while issuing fresh payment plans treating subsidiaries as new allottees
- Occupancy certificates were granted in some cases without completion of sports facilities, providing undue and illegal benefits to developers
This comprehensive CAG report ultimately became the basis for the High Court order to hand over the case to the CBI for thorough investigation.
