NEW DELHI -- A 27-year-old fashion designer died of a suspected drug overdose at the Supersonic Electronic Dance Music (EDM) in Goa on Monday night according to agencies and media reports.
Mumbai-based Isha Mantry, who was in Goa for new year celebrations, died allegedly due to drug overdose, PTI quoted Goa police as saying. The Calangute police confirmed that Mantry was in Goa to participate in one of the EDM festivals.
"She was brought dead at a private hospital last night. We have sent the body for postmortem," police inspector Rajesh Kumar told PTI.
Mantry’s post-mortem will be conducted on Wednesday at the State Goa Medical College hospital after her sister arrives in Goa from Dubai, The Hindu reported. The cause of death can only be ascertained after post-mortem is conducted, the report said.
North Goa police sources told The Hindu that they are recording statements of eyewitnesses and friends who accompanied her to Goa. Hindu reports stated that Mantry collapsed while dancing. Her friends have allegedly told the police that she was on antibiotics and was heavily intoxicated at the EDM.
IANS reported that Mantry collapsed at Goa’s Candolim beach late Monday and subsequently died at a local hospital. Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar said the deceased was a Mumbai resident, and alleged that the police were trying to hush up the matter.
"The girl was in delirium and had to be lifted out of the venue and taken to a local hospital where she died," Kawthankar said at a press conference. "We suspect this is a case of drug overdose," he added.
Incidentally, Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg had Saturday claimed that there were anti-narcotics department officials present at the venues of both major music festivals, which are being held simultaneously and that there was no sign of drug use or sale at both events.
A doctor at the Goa medical college (GMC) told the Times of India that ever since the controversial drowning death of British minor Scarlett Keeling in February 2008, they have been following the practice of conducting a postmortem (in unnatural deaths) only after a family member of the deceased identifies the body.
Actress Pooja Bhatt expressed condolence over Mantry’s death on Twitter and said “Isha Mantry I can’t believe you have left us so early”.
"We worked very closely during the making of 'Mary Kom'. She was a bubbling joyous person so it's really sad news what has happened. It's always a real tragedy when life is cut so short. She was good with everyone on the set, very dedicated, very hardworking,” film-writer Saiwyn Quadras told TOI.
Mantry had designed the costume for the secondary cast of the movie Mary Kom.
Mumbai fashion designer Isha Mantry, 27, allegedly died of drug overdose in Goa at @Vh1Supersonic; organizers Viacom Live refuse to comment
— Rolling Stone India (@RollingStoneIN) December 31, 2014
Isha Mantry I can't believe you have left us so early. You with the dancing eyes & shy smile! Why my love? WHY?
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) December 31, 2014