A 24-year-old woman was found dead in a resort bathroom in Managatta, Rajnandgaon district, on June 18, and police have arrested three men, including the resort owner, in connection with the case, officials said on Sunday.

The victim, who worked as a manager at a theatre in Bhilai, was reportedly in Raipur with two friends on June 18. Preliminary police inquiries indicate the friends — identified as 25-year-old Chhatrapal (aka Ballu) Deshmukh and 25-year-old Ghanshyam Belchandan — coerced the woman into drinking alcohol and later brought her to Vishlingwoods Resort in Managatta. According to investigators, the resort owner, 26-year-old Ashutosh Hirwani (also called Ashu), is accused of raping her at the property.

Her body was discovered in a bathroom at the resort that night. Police said they found abrasion marks and internal injuries on the body. The exact cause of death has not yet been determined; forensic and medical reports are being examined and the investigation is ongoing, officials said.

The case was registered at Somni police station after the hospital at Medical College Pendri informed police about a suspicious death late on June 18, Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma told reporters. Under her directions, Somni police and a special cyber cell team carried out a joint probe, including crime-scene inspection and technical evidence collection.

“Post-mortem findings and technical evidence indicate the two companions brought the victim to the resort after giving her alcohol,” an investigating officer said. “We have registered charges of rape and voluntarily causing hurt against the accused; further legal provisions are being applied as the probe proceeds.” Specific sections mentioned by police include provisions under the state penal code relating to sexual assault and related offences. Authorities have said further information will be shared as enquiries progress.

Two days after the death, police arrested Hirwani, Deshmukh and Belchandan. All three were produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. Vishlingwoods Resort has been sealed and officials said administrative action against the property is underway.

Local officials said scientific examination of the scene, statements from witnesses and digital evidence helped narrow the probe. Additional Superintendent of Police Kirtan Rathore said the matter was treated as an unnatural death from the outset and investigators worked under senior supervision.

Residents in nearby areas expressed shock at the incident. “Managatta is usually peaceful; this has shaken us,” one local who did not want to be named said. Authorities urged anyone with further information or mobile footage from the area on June 18 to come forward to assist the inquiry.

Why this matters: the case raises questions about safety for young women when travelling with acquaintances and about accountability for hospitality operators. It also comes amid wider public scrutiny in India over crimes against women and the speed and transparency of criminal probes.

Police emphasized that while suspects have been arrested and charged, the exact circumstances of the woman’s death remain to be conclusively established through post-mortem, toxicology and forensic analysis. “We are following all leads,” an investigator said. “Further details are awaited.”