Noida Police Investigation into Student's Death Finds No Evidence of Foul Play
Police probing the tragic death of a BSc student in a water-filled pit behind the Supernova building in Noida's Sector 94 have stated that no evidence of murder has emerged so far. Authorities indicated that a closure report may be filed soon in the case that has gripped the city.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Harshit Bhatt, an undergraduate pursuing a physical education degree from Amity University in Sector 125, went for a picnic with friends after completing his final sixth-semester examination on Wednesday. Around 3:30 PM, Bhatt and his three friends – identified as Vyas, Krish, and Himanshu – decided to take a dip in the water-filled excavation pit.
According to police accounts, Bhatt entered the water first and completed two laps around the pit before venturing toward the center. The student reportedly did not realize the depth of the water and became trapped in thick sludge at the bottom. When he began to drown, his friends attempted to rescue him but were unsuccessful and called for emergency assistance.
Rescue Efforts and Medical Response
Police, divers, and teams from the fire department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached the location promptly. Using specialized ropes and equipment, rescuers descended approximately 10 meters into the pit to recover Bhatt's body. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. His body was subsequently sent for autopsy procedures.
Mother's Allegations and Police Action
A case was registered at Sector 126 police station following a formal complaint by Harshit Bhatt's mother, Deepmala. In her complaint, she accused her son's three friends of possible involvement in the incident and demanded a thorough, fair investigation. Acting on these allegations, police registered a case against the three friends.
Deepmala expressed profound skepticism about the circumstances of her son's death, noting that he was a trained swimmer and questioning how he could have drowned under such conditions. She further alleged observing suspicious injury marks on his body, including a distinctive V-shaped mark on his back and dark bruises on his limbs, which she believes could indicate an assault rather than accidental drowning.
Comprehensive Investigation Underway
Investigators have conducted an extensive examination of all available evidence, including:
- Forensic analysis of mobile phones belonging to all four individuals involved
- Detailed scrutiny of chats and messages exchanged between the friends
- Review of footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras installed around the incident site
- Collection of statements from the three friends, university students, and staff members familiar with the group
Police sources have revealed that no inconsistencies have been found in the statements provided by the three friends, and initial findings do not indicate any signs of homicide. The postmortem report specifically attributes the death to drowning and does not indicate any grievous injuries suggestive of violence or assault.
Site Safety Concerns and Historical Context
The excavation pit where the tragedy occurred is part of a proposed convention center project being developed by UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Ltd. The project has been stalled since 2022 following cancellation of the tender. Police investigations have revealed that the land had been sublet and soil was allegedly being excavated illegally from the site.
This incident has reignited serious concerns about safety at unsecured construction sites throughout Noida. In a similar tragedy earlier this year, 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta drowned in a water-filled pit in Sector 150, highlighting persistent safety lapses in the rapidly developing city.
While police continue their investigation, the focus has shifted toward understanding how such dangerous, unsecured sites continue to exist in residential areas and what measures can be implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
