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Youth drowns in studio pool

Last Updated 31 July 2012, 19:21 IST

A 21-year-old man drowned in a swimming pool at Thanisandra on Monday evening. This is the second such incident this week. 

On Sunday, Pankaj Dahima, a software professional, had also drowned in a swimming pool.

Chandrashekar, a second year BBM student of the LBS Government First Grade College and a resident of Devarajeevanahalli, was at the swimming pool with his friends Arun Kumar, Roshan and Surendra.

The pool is located in Sandalwood Studio, which is owned by Venkatamari. 

The group had rented the pool on several occasions to learn swimming. On Monday evening, however, while three of the youths waded in the shallow part of the pool, Chandrashekar ventured to the other end, which is seven-foot deep. 

When Chandrashekar panicked, his friends called Thomas, the watchman, for help. By the time Thomas pulled him out of water, he was unconscious. 

He was rushed to Dr Ambedkar Medical College, where he was declared brought dead. 

Sampigehalli police have registered a case against Venkatamari and have arrested Thomas, who had collected money from the four youths to let them swim. 

Police also confiscated ledger books maintained by Thomas, recording the names of people who had visited the pool. 

The studio and the pool are widely used for outdoor photo shoots, TV commercials and serials. In addition to renting out the pool for the media, Venkatamari used to charge members of the public Rs 35 an hour, per person to use the pool. As the area lacks a swimming pool, many youth came there. 

Police said Venkatamari did not have permission from the BBMP to rent out the pool for commerical purposes.

They said that the pool lacked basic amenities like life jackets, let alone an experienced coach as required by law.

“The entire business is illegal. We have booked a case against the studio owner, who is absconding. We will bring him to book as soon as possible,” said a senior official heading the probe.

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(Published 31 July 2012, 19:21 IST)

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