Hyderabad Student Drowns in Swimming Pool, Police File Negligence Case
In a tragic incident in Hyderabad, an 18-year-old undergraduate student named Vaishnavi drowned while practicing swimming at a private pool in Old Alwal on Sunday evening, according to police reports. Following a formal complaint by her family, the Alwal police have registered a case of negligence against the pool owner and the swimming coach, alleging lapses in safety and supervision.
Details of the Incident
The drowning occurred at approximately 5:50 PM on February 22 at the VV Swimming Pool located in Ayyappa Nagar Colony, Alwal. Vaishnavi, who had been attending daily swimming classes at the facility since enrolling on February 1, was in the pool when the incident took place. Her friends present at the scene quickly alerted the staff after noticing her distress. The staff members pulled her out of the water and rushed her to a nearby private hospital for emergency treatment.
Vaishnavi was declared brought dead upon arrival at the hospital. Preliminary investigations suggest that she drowned while swimming, but the exact cause of death will only be confirmed after the postmortem report is released, as stated by Alwal Sub-Inspector A Raghavendar Reddy.
CCTV Footage and Witness Accounts
Police officials have reviewed CCTV footage from the pool, which shows Vaishnavi suddenly collapsing while standing in water that was only three feet deep. At the time of the incident, more than half a dozen other individuals were present in the pool, and staff members were also on duty. Initially, everyone assumed she was swimming, but when she remained motionless for one to two minutes, a friend outside the pool raised the alarm.
Malkajgiri Deputy Commissioner of Police Ch Sridhar explained, "The staff acted promptly by pulling her out and transporting her to the hospital, but unfortunately, it was too late."
Background of the Victim
Vaishnavi, a native of Jagdevpur in Siddipet district, was pursuing her first-year degree at Loyola College in Hyderabad. She resided at a private hostel in Sai Baba Nagar in Old Alwal. According to her sister, Kiranmai Sirvi, Vaishnavi was a competent swimmer with good health, making the incident all the more shocking for the family.
Family's Allegations and Police Action
The pool staff suggested to the family that Vaishnavi might have suffered a cardiac arrest, but this claim was strongly disputed. In her complaint, Kiranmai Sirvi alleged, "Vaishnavi was fit and a well-trained swimmer. We suspect that the death occurred due to the negligence of the coach and pool staff. Please register a case against the concerned coach and other staff."
Based on this complaint, the Alwal police registered a case under Section 106(1) for causing death due to negligence, read with Section 3(5) for common intention under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), against the swimming coach and the owner of the VV Swimming Pool on Sunday night.
Ongoing Investigation
The victim's body was handed over to her family after a postmortem examination conducted on Monday. Police are continuing their investigation by recording statements from Vaishnavi's two friends who were present at the pool from her hostel. Additionally, CCTV footage has been collected, and statements from the pool owner and staff will be recorded as per standard procedure.
Sub-Inspector A Raghavendar Reddy added, "We will also seek details from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to ascertain whether the pool owner has the necessary permissions and complies with safety regulations." This step aims to ensure that all legal and safety protocols were followed at the facility.
The case highlights concerns over safety measures at recreational facilities and underscores the need for stringent oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future.
