Kamal Ghorui
NOIDA: A 26-year-old delivery executive who emerged as a key eyewitness in the death of software engineer Yuvraj Mehta has alleged that police personnel asked him to give statements supporting their version of events.Also read: Amid outcry over techie’s death, dangers galore in public places in GhaziabadMoninder Singh, who jumped into the waterfilled pit after coming to know that Mehta had fallen into it, earlier told the media he was summoned to Knowledge Park police station on Monday and asked to stay away from the media for a few days until the case “settled down”.
“I was called to the police station, and they forcefully recorded another video of me after giving me a script. I was made to sit in a park near the police station for more than four hours,” Singh claimed.Also read: Noida Authority grilled by SIT over techie’s death in Sector 150 pitAccording to him, cops said senior officials wanted to speak to him. “When I reached there, three to four policemen took me to a nearby park close to the Knowledge Park police station and scolded me for speaking to the media,” he alleged. Singh said he was asked to make statements in favour of police, including that personnel entered the water and made every possible effort to rescue Mehta.“They verbally dictated a script and recorded a video. I was scared at that moment, so I agreed. But later, I decided that I am the only eyewitness in the case and I should stand with the truth. My family and local residents are supporting me,” Singh said. He also alleged he was told the case would fade from the media in “two to three days”, while being reminded that he lived in the same area.Singh, a resident of Sector 150, said he was heading to deliver an order around 1.50am on Saturday when he noticed cops at the spot where Mehta’s car allegedly plunged. 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.A senior police officer denied any pressure. “He was called only to speak regarding the case. He himself changed his statement and is free to speak to the media or anyone,” he said.When contacted on Thursday, Singh refused to comment further on the video and said that officials “tried their best” to save Mehta.
