Unable to load a valid USD file from the local filesystem using the Usd and omni.usd APIs

Successfully load the USD file using the USD Composer’s “File” menu.

However, when trying to load the same file using the API, it doesn’t work.

import omni.usd  
  
usd_file_path = r"C:\Users\uname\Downloads\scene.usd"  
stage = omni.usd.get_context().get_stage()  
stage.Load(usd_file_path)  
  

from pxr import Usd  
usd_file_path = r"C:\Users\uname\Downloads\scene.usd"  
stage = Usd.Stage.Open(usd_file_path)  
  

Console Log

2024-09-21 20:22:36 [3,233,094ms] [Warning] [omni.usd] Warning: in SdfPath at line 81 of C:\g\97199581\USD\pxr\usd\sdf\path.cpp – Ill-formed SdfPath <C:\Users\uname\Downloads\scene.usd>: syntax error

Any support/suggestion much appreciated!