HASSAN: A 26-year-old probationary IPS officer, Harsh Bardhan, tragically lost his life in a road accident near Kittanegadi village in Hassan taluk while on his way to assume his new post. The accident occurred on Sunday around 4:15 p.m. on National Highway 373, which connects Hassan and Mysuru, police reported on Monday.
Bardhan was traveling in a police jeep to report to the Hassan district superintendent of police (SP) office after completing a month-long training at the police academy in Mysuru. According to police, the jeep’s driver, Manje Gowda, lost control of the vehicle while driving at high speed, causing it to overturn.
Efforts to Save the Officer
Hassan SP Muhammed Sujitha expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “He had just completed his training, and I was preparing to appoint him as ASP. Despite our efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries,” Sujitha said. Bardhan was rushed to a private hospital in Hassan and later prepared for transfer to Bengaluru under zero-traffic conditions, but he passed away at 9:30 p.m.
The autopsy was conducted on Monday, and his body was transported to Yelahanka Air Force Station for airlifting to his hometown in Dosar village, Singrauli district, Madhya Pradesh.
Investigation and Witness Accounts
An FIR has been filed against the driver under Section 281 of the BNS Act for rash and negligent driving. Gorur sub-inspector Dhanraj stated, “Both Bardhan and the driver were wearing seat belts, but the jeep overturned three times. Unfortunately, the airbags did not deploy. Had they deployed, he might have survived.”
A witness, Shankarappa, recounted the accident: “The driver lost control at high speed, veered off the road, and hit a coconut tree. The vehicle overturned, severely injuring the officer. We rushed him to the hospital immediately.”
A Promising Career Cut Short
Harsh Bardhan was the son of Akhilesh Kumar Singh, a sub-divisional magistrate, and Dolly Singh, a government employee. Despite a background in civil engineering, Bardhan pursued a career in civil services, securing the 153rd rank in the UPSC exams on his first attempt in 2022.
Condolences from the Chief Minister
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his condolences on social media platform X, stating, “Saddened to learn of Harsh Bardhan’s death in an accident. This tragedy occurred while he was on his way to assume office. It is heartbreaking that years of hard work ended in such a tragedy. May his soul rest in peace.”
