Noida delivery executive: Once a rescuer, now arrested for running extortion racket

NOIDA: A delivery executive who earlier drew public attention for trying to save engineer Yuvraj Mehta when he plunged into a water-filled construction pit in January, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly running an extortion racket.According to police, the accused, Monindra, and his brother Narendra, targeted restaurant owners and small vendors in Greater Noida and threatened them to pay ‘protection money’ ranging between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000.Both the accused were arrested from Sector 150 by a team from the Knowledge Park police station.Police said the brothers had allegedly created an atmosphere of fear among small traders and restaurant operators in the area. Business owners who failed to pay were threatened with consequences.After receiving several complaints from the locals, police registered a case and launched an investigation.Records show both Monindra and Narendra have been previously linked to criminal cases. In 2024, a case involving assault, criminal intimidation and other offences was registered against them at the Knowledge Park police station. The following year, two additional criminal cases were lodged against the brothers. Monindra was also booked under the Gangster Act in 2025 due to his alleged involvement in repeated criminal activities.Despite previous legal action, police said the accused continued their unlawful activities. Authorities are now conducting a detailed review of their criminal history and financial dealings to determine the full extent of the alleged extortion network.Monindra had previously alleged police were pressurising him to speak in favour of their efforts to rescue Mehta after his accident. The 26-year-old delivery executive was on his way to make a delivery around 1.50 am when he noticed cops at the water-filled pit where Mehta’s car had fallen in.He claimed Mehta had drowned with his submerged car about five minutes before he reached. Singh said he jumped into the water wearing a life jacket and searched for nearly 30 minutes but could not locate him. He had told the media he was summoned to Knowledge Park police station and asked to make statements in favour of police, including that personnel entered the water and made every possible effort to stop Mehta from drowning.