Woman Dies After Drowning in Hotel Swimming Pool in Puri; Family Alleges Foul Play

Bhubaneswar: A 28-year-old woman lost her life after allegedly drowning in the swimming pool of a hotel in Puri on Monday, while her family has claimed that the incident was not accidental and has demanded a detailed investigation.

The deceased has been identified as Sumitra Mahapatra, also known as Mama, a resident of Gudiasahi under Town Police Station limits.

According to police sources, Sumitra had checked into Naren Palace Hotel on Monday morning with two others, identified as Rajkumar Sahu (33) and Sabita Behera. The three had booked a room before later heading to the hotel’s swimming pool.

During the swim, Sumitra reportedly entered the deeper portion of the pool and drowned. After noticing her in distress, the two companions alerted hotel staff. Security personnel immediately rescued her from the pool and rushed her to the District Headquarters Hospital. However, doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Police have seized the body and sent it for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s family has raised serious allegations, claiming that Sumitra, who worked as a dancer, had been invited to the hotel to attend a bachelor party. They also alleged that another young woman had accompanied her and demanded a fair and impartial probe into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Police have launched an investigation and are examining every possible angle, including accidental drowning as well as the possibility of foul play. The two individuals who were present with Sumitra at the time of the incident are being questioned, and further investigation is in progress.