Ishmeet's tragic death

Ishmeet's tragic death

Voice of India TV star Ishmeet Singh drowned on Tuesday in a swimming pool at Dhonveli Beach and Spa Resort in the Maldives.

The 19-year old pop singer was with friends when he entered the swimming pool despite being unable to swim, according to assistant manager Marlon Robert. The lifeguard was off duty at the time.

He was taken by a resort launch to ADK hospital in Male' following an unsuccessful attempt by the resident doctor to resuscitate him, Robert said.

Singh arrived in Maldives on Tuesday to appear in the Star Voice of Maldives on August 1.

He won Voice of India title in November 2007 and has since become a national celebrity there.

The incident happened on Tuesday around 5.15pm, when Singh and around six friends had been at the poolside. None of the boys could swim, Robert said, and they had remained in the children's pool.

Singh then told his friends he would go into the deeper pool, according to Robert.

"The fact is, this gentleman – without realising the gravity of it – went into the deep end [of the pool]," Robert told Minivan News.

ADK hospital Managing director Mohamed Affal said he had been dead on arrival at the hospital, but said he did not know the cause of death.

The police have confirmed the case had been reported and was under investigation.

Ishmeet Singh Sodhi, from Ludhiyana in Punjab, was the first winner of Voice of India last year. He had also participated in the Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar Show on Star Channel.

On winning the voice of India, Singh reportedly said: "I am not a trained singer, yet I managed to reach this far. It makes me very happy. However, I never expected to win this show."

According to Indian media, his family have been informed by phone. "We are too shocked to react. We have no other information so far," a relative told India's Economic Times.

And fellow Voice of India contestant Harshit told a TV channel: "He was like a brother to me. I cannot even comment on what has happened. I cannot believe that he is no longer with us."