Kamal Ghorui
CHANDIGARH: India’s ace rally driver, Hari Singh, 59, is missing after a speedboat overturned in the Maldives on Thursday night. Gautam Singhania, chairman and managing director of Raymond Group, was injured in the accident but is safe.Hari’s long-time friend Shashi Pal Singh Garcha, president of Chandigarh Motorsports Association, told TOI on Friday, “We still don’t have any news about Hari and another person missing in the incident. Search operations were called off late Friday evening due to darkness.”Singhania and Hari, a five-time Indian National Rally Championship winner, were among a group of seven on the speedboat when it overturned near Felidhoo, as per media reports. Singhania and the others were rescued but the search continues for Hari and the other missing person. Family and friends are praying for their safety.“Gautam Singhania suffered minor injuries following an unfortunate accident. He is recovering under due care in Mumbai. We thank you for the wishes and pray for the well-being of the affected friends,” said a spokesperson for the industrialist.Garcha, also a five-time national motocross champion, said they were keeping their fingers crossed. “Manik Bhimsen Bhardwaj, from Bengaluru, who was also on the boat, suffered a severe injury and his arm had to be amputated,” he said.News of the accident has shaken the motorsports fraternity. Delhi-based international rally driver Gaurav Gill visited Hari Singh’s house in Sector 8, Chandigarh, on Friday evening.
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Rattan Dhillon, a rally driver from Chandigarh, posted on X: “How unfortunate… Mr Hari Singh sir, a true legend of Indian motorsport and closely associated with JK Tyre and Mercedes, has gone missing following a speedboat accident in the Maldives. It’s been over 22 hours since rescue operations began, and the Indian Navy, along with Maldivian authorities, are continuing the search. Thankfully, 6-7 people on board, including Gautam Singhania, have been rescued safely. Hari Sir needs our prayers right now, hoping for his safe return!”Hari is the first Indian to win the Asia Zone Rally Championship, and is currently head of operations at JK Tyre Motorsport where he works on developing new racing and rallying talent across India. He is married and has two children.
