Techie found dead in pool during office party at farmhouse

Hyderabad: A 27-year-old software employee was found dead in the swimming pool of a farmhouse during a team outing in Koyyalagudem in Choutuppal in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district on Saturday night. Though police have registered a murder case following a complaint from the victim's father, cops said they were waiting for the post-mortem report to determine the cause of death.

According to Choutuppal inspector N Manmadha Rao, the deceased, Gandla Ramu , a native of Mancherial, had gone to the farmhouse along with around 20 colleagues and their team leader for the party. During the gathering, the group consumed liquor and Ramu allegedly got into a brief altercation with one of the employees.

A few hours later, around 1am, Ramu was found lying in the swimming pool. His colleagues rushed to his aid and attempted CPR, but he could not be saved.

He was taken to a nearby govt hospital in Choutuppal where he was declared brought dead. Police received information about the death around 2am from the hospital.

"His family, in their complaint, have alleged that he was hit with a stick following an altercation. We have registered a murder case accordingly. We have not yet identified a suspect. There were 20 people at the party, all drunk," the inspector said. The complaint was lodged by Ramu's father G Anjaiah on Sunday morning.

Police said they recovered Ramu's ID card and mobile phone. No other items were seized. The inspector said they were questioning those who attended the party to establish the sequence of events before Ramu entered the pool.

Cops said that they would also seek details from the excise department regarding the consumption of liquor at the farmhouse.