Twenty three-year-old Sunit Agnihotri, who hailed from Lucknow and shared an apartment with a friend here, was pulled out in an unconscious state. He died shortly after. According to Government General Hospital authorities , Agnihotri was brought in bleeding and dead.

Another youth, Anand (25), is admitted in a private hospital and his condition is stated to be serious. Two others, Ramya (23) and Sony (25), were also injured and had to be admitted to hospital, but they are now said to be out of danger.

The police have registered a case of negligence under Section 304 (a) of the Indian Penal Code against the hotel’s event manager, Anthony Michael; stage contractor Narendar Singh; and the licensee of the hotel.

Police said the hotel had built a special platform above the pool for the New Year theme party — ‘Ibiza-08-Xperience’ — violating norms. With nearly 200 people dancing on the stage, the scaffolding became loose and gave away.

Deputy Commissioner of Police A G Mauryah told reporters that the hotel had been granted a public resort licence (PRL) only for conducting a party in one of its halls on the premises and not near the pool. He said the hotel authorities had violated norms by setting up a platform above the pool without any precautionary measures.

The hotel management, however, maintained that just food was being served near the platform and that liquor was available only at the bar.

The hotel has also promised to reimburse all those who were at the party for the entry tickets (Rs 3,000 for one and Rs 3,500 for a couple).

According to eyewitnesses, at around 11.30 pm, when revelry was at its peak, sudden screams rose above the loud music. They say they saw a part of the stage collapsing and several people falling into the swimming pool.