30-year-old Pune resident drowns in Venna lake

Rite, who was working with a private firm in Hadapsar, was on holiday with three friends. On Tuesday they visited Satara and by noon, reached Mahabaleshwar.

A 30-year-old from Hadapsar, Pune, is suspected of having drowned in the Venna lake in Mahabaleshwar on Wednesday.

Police have identified the missing person as Mahesh Dadasaheb Rite. (HT photo)

Police have identified the missing person as Mahesh Dadasaheb Rite.

At the time of going to press, Rite’s body had not yet been recovered by the search and rescue teams.

A case of accidental death has been lodged at the Mahabaleshwar police station.

Rite, who was working with a private firm in Hadapsar, was on holiday with three friends. On Tuesday they visited Satara and by noon, reached Mahabaleshwar.

According to Satara police, all four, Yuvraj Metre 32; Ahmed Sheikh, 36; and Wasim Sheikh, 30; along with Rite, consumed alcohol and then went paddle-boating in the lake. While on the lake the group decided to jump into the water for a swim.

Police inspector BA Kondubhairi of Mahabaleshwar police station said , ”Prima facie, all were drunk and then decided to swim. One of them drowned.Search operations were on till the evening, then, due to lack of daylight, we stopped.”