New Delhi: A tragic speedboat accident in the waters of Maldives has left two prominent Indian sports figures dead and raised questions about safety and accountability, with industrialist Gautam Singhania coming under public scrutiny after surviving the incident.
The accident occurred on the night of March 19, 2026, near the Fedhu Islands in the Vavu Atoll. According to reports, a speedboat carrying seven passengers capsized shortly after they transferred from a luxury yacht to a smaller high-speed craft for a late-night ride. What was meant to be a recreational outing quickly turned into a disaster when the vessel overturned in the dark waters.
Among those on board was Singhania, the chairman and managing director of Raymond Group, one of India’s largest producers of suiting fabric. While Singhania survived with minor injuries, two well-known figures from India’s sporting community lost their lives in the accident.
The victims were Hari Singh, a five-time international rally champion known in motorsport circles as the “Gypsy King,” and Mahesh Ramchandran, a decorated sailor, former Indian Navy officer and Arjuna Award recipient. Their deaths have shocked India’s motorsport and maritime communities.
Reports suggest that the group initially boarded a luxury yacht in Vavu Atoll before shifting to the smaller speedboat around 1:15 a.m. Minutes later, the vessel capsized. Preliminary assessments point to multiple possible factors behind the accident, including mechanical failure, sharp high-speed manoeuvres, overcrowding and poor night-time visibility. It is also unclear whether all passengers were wearing life jackets at the time.
The boat reportedly carried five Indian men and two women—one from the United Kingdom and another from Russia. Search and rescue operations were carried out by the Maldives National Defence Force, which deployed drones, boats and aerial surveillance during the operation.
Singhania was rescued and later flown back to Mumbai, where he was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital with minor injuries. However, his immediate return to India before any detailed questioning by Maldivian authorities has triggered debate and public criticism.
The tragedy has sparked wider discussion about safety measures during private sea excursions and whether influential individuals receive different levels of scrutiny in such incidents.
Authorities in the Maldives continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, as families of the deceased seek answers about what went wrong during the ill-fated night ride.