Bhubaneswar: A 25-year-old stage performer was found dead in the swimming pool of a hotel on Puri’s Chakra Tirtha Road on Monday evening, police said on Tuesday.The deceased, identified as Sumitra Mohapatra of Goudabada Sahi in Puri city, is believed to have drowned. Police have ruled out foul play pending post-mortem findings.Preliminary investigation revealed that Sumitra had checked into the hotel with a 32-year-old woman and a man (33) for a party. “Sumitra was invited by her female friend. Hotel records show they booked a room for five hours and ordered food and liquor,” an officer of the Sea Beach police station said.CCTV footage showed the trio dancing near the pool before entering the water. “She suddenly appeared to feel discomfort while swimming in the 5.8-ft-deep pool. Her friends pulled her out, but she was unconscious. She was rushed to the district headquarters hospital where she was declared dead,” the officer added.Manas Ranjan Chakra, the inspector in-charge of Sea Beach police station, said, “We reviewed the CCTV footage and found no suspicious activity. The evidence suggests she drowned. No complaint or allegation of foul play has been made by her family.”Police officials said the post-mortem report will confirm whether intoxication or a sudden health complication triggered the drowning.The hotel, which does not employ a swimming trainer, denied negligence. “Ours is a small hotel with a small pool. A trainer is not required. We acted promptly and ensured she was taken to a hospital. We are cooperating with the police fully,” a hotel employee said.
