A 23-year-old woman from Bengaluru, Varsha, died under suspicious circumstances at a lodge in Hassan district after inhaling fumes from an LPG geyser in an unventilated bathroom, according to police. The incident occurred on September 11 when Varsha and her friends, Raghu and Darshan, checked into Sri Devu Lodge near Valalahalli Koodige in Sakleshpur taluk. Varsha went to take a bath and did not emerge, prompting her friends to break into the room and find her unconscious. She was rushed to Sakleshpur public hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Police suspect that the LPG geyser in the small, 3x5 ft bathroom caused a buildup of carbon monoxide, leading to asphyxiation. The lodge’s bathroom lacked proper ventilation, a factor that has drawn local criticism. The police have initiated an inquiry into the lodge’s safety measures and are considering filing a case of negligence against the owner. The postmortem report, conducted at Hassan district hospital, is expected to confirm the exact cause of death.

Varsha’s mother, a nurse by profession, has expressed suspicion of foul play, noting that only three of the four classmates who planned the trip visited Sakleshpur. She has filed a complaint with the police, who are questioning the lodge management and the two men who accompanied Varsha. The police have ruled out sexual assault, citing the absence of visible injuries or bruises on Varsha’s body. Superintendent of Police Shubhanwita Upadhyay confirmed that the lodge is under scrutiny for its safety standards, particularly the installation of an LPG geyser in an unventilated space.

Locals have also raised concerns about the lodge’s illegal operation, citing the lack of safety measures. The lodge’s management has not yet responded to the allegations, though police have stated that a case of negligence is likely to be registered. The incident has sparked calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in tourist accommodations, particularly in areas with limited oversight.

What remains unknown is the exact cause of Varsha’s death, pending the postmortem report. Additionally, the full extent of the lodge’s safety violations and the role of the accompanying men in the incident are yet to be determined. The police have not disclosed whether the lodge was operating without proper licenses or if there were prior complaints about its safety practices. The case highlights the risks associated with inadequate ventilation in spaces where LPG appliances are used, raising questions about the adequacy of local regulations and enforcement in the tourism sector.

The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of safety in private lodges and guesthouses, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where regulatory oversight is often lacking. While the police have taken steps to investigate, the lack of a formal response from the lodge owner and the absence of prior safety inspections underscore the need for more rigorous checks in such establishments. As the investigation continues, the case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of improper installation and maintenance of gas appliances in confined spaces.