The car of a 27-year-old software engineer that plunged into a water-filled construction pit in Noida has been recovered three days after the accident, raising hopes that vital clues could emerge from the vehicle to aid the ongoing investigation.

The grey Grand Vitara, driven by Yuvraj Mehta, was pulled out on Tuesday evening using a crane from a nearly 20-foot-deep pit in Sector 150. The SUV was found covered in weeds, with visible damage to its front portion.

Officials said the bonnet of the vehicle was open and crumpled, while the front appeared to have taken a direct impact. This has led investigators to believe that the car may have struck a barrier along a drain separating the road from the construction pit before falling into the water.

Visuals from the site also showed that the front windshield was shattered and the sunroof was open. According to officials, Mehta may have escaped the submerged vehicle either through the sunroof or the broken windshield.

A close friend of the deceased, Pankaj Tokas, told media that the car was equipped with a dashcam. Police are now examining whether footage from the device can provide crucial insight into the moments leading up to the crash.

The incident occurred around 12.30 am on Saturday when Mehta, who worked at a firm in Gurugram, was returning home to his apartment at Tata Eureka Park in Sector 150. Though familiar with the route, dense fog severely reduced visibility that night.

While taking a sharp turn roughly 800 metres from his residence, the SUV reportedly jumped two barriers near a drain and plunged into the pit filled with water.

After managing to get out of the vehicle, Mehta, who did not know how to swim, called his father for help. His father reached the location soon after and was later joined by teams from the police, fire brigade and the State Disaster Response Force.

However, extremely poor visibility due to thick fog hampered rescue efforts. Mehta could not be located in time and drowned nearly 90 minutes after the accident.

Police said further investigation will depend on forensic examination of the vehicle and any recoverable electronic evidence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Nitin Nabin on his election as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s new national president, describing the 45-year-old leader as a representative of a generation that has seen India transform across decades.

Addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters after the formal announcement, PM Modi underlined the organisational culture of the party by saying that in matters related to the organisation, the newly elected president would be his superior.

“When it comes to party matters, Mananiya Nitin Nabin ji is my boss. I am a worker,” the prime minister said, drawing applause from the gathering.

BJP leadership transition after Sanghatan Parv

Nitin Nabin was elected as BJP national president at the conclusion of the Sanghatan Parv, a wide-ranging organisational exercise that involved elections from the booth level up to the national leadership.

PM Modi said that as party president, Nabin’s role would go beyond managing the BJP’s internal affairs and would include ensuring coordination among National Democratic Alliance partners.

PM Modi highlights generational shift

Describing Nabin as a “millennial,” PM Modi said the new party chief belongs to a generation that grew up listening to news on the radio and is now comfortable using artificial intelligence.

According to the prime minister, this combination of adaptability, youthful energy and experience would be an asset for the party’s future.

“Nitin ji has youthful energy along with rich organisational experience,” PM Modi said.

Tracing BJP’s organisational journey

The prime minister also reflected on the BJP’s growth over the years, recalling its journey under different leaders.

He said the party rose from modest beginnings under leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi. In later years, leaders including M Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari expanded the organisation further.

PM Modi noted that under Rajnath Singh’s leadership, the BJP secured a full majority at the Centre for the first time, while under Amit Shah, the party expanded its footprint across states and returned to power nationally for a second consecutive term.

He added that during JP Nadda’s tenure as president, the BJP strengthened its presence from panchayat-level bodies to Parliament.

Karnataka Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement) K Ramachandra Rao has been suspended following the circulation of multiple videos on social media purportedly showing him in compromising positions with women. The videos, which remain unverified, reportedly depict Rao in what appears to be his office, and some audio clips allegedly feature him speaking to women in an inappropriate manner.

Suspension order cites unbecoming conduct

The official suspension order stated that Rao’s actions were “obscene” and “unbecoming of a government servant,” causing embarrassment to the state government. It added that the government is “prima facie satisfied that it is necessary to place Dr K. Ramachandra Rao under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry.”

During his suspension, Rao is not permitted to leave the headquarters without written permission from the state government.

Rao rejects allegations

Rao, a 1993 batch IPS officer, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “fabricated and false.” Speaking to reporters, he said, “I am shocked. It is all fabricated and a lie. The video is all false. I have no idea about it.”

He added that he was unsure how or when the videos surfaced, stating, “In this era, anything can happen. I have no idea about it.” Rao also referred to old videos, saying they could date back eight years when he was posted in Belagavi.

Political reactions

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said disciplinary action will follow if Rao is found guilty. “We will initiate disciplinary action against him. No one is above the law, notwithstanding how senior the police officer is,” the CM said.

Senior BJP leader S Suresh Kumar described the incident as a “disgraceful act” and “an inexcusable crime,” asserting that it has tarnished the image of the police department.

Rao’s troubled past

Rao has previously faced allegations related to assisting his stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested for gold smuggling last year. He was accused of helping her bypass customs and police checks using official protocols. After being placed on compulsory leave in March, Rao was reinstated following an investigation and later appointed as the DGP for the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement in August.