A devastating incident on December 1 took the life of 26-year-old Harsh Bardhan, an IPS officer from Karnataka. He was en route to his first posting as a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police in Holenarasipur, Hassan district, when the accident occurred.

The tragic event unfolded near Kittane on the Hassan-Mysuru Highway, when the police vehicle he was traveling in reportedly suffered a tyre burst. This caused the vehicle to veer off the road, crashing into a tree and a nearby house.

Who Was Harsh Bardhan?

Harsh Bardhan, originally from Madhya Pradesh, had recently completed his training at the Karnataka Police Academy in Mysuru. Known for his dedication and professionalism, Harsh had earned the admiration of both his trainers and peers. His family remembers him as a hardworking individual, deeply committed to making a positive difference in society.

Born to Akhilesh Kumar Singh, a sub-divisional magistrate, and Dolly Singh, a homemaker, Harsh was raised in a family deeply rooted in public service. Inspired by his father’s career in administration, Harsh pursued his dream of joining the Indian Police Service and successfully achieved it, becoming a part of the 2023 IPS batch.

The tragic accident occurred just as Harsh was heading towards his first posting in Hassan. Local residents quickly came to his aid, helping to rescue both Harsh and the driver, Manjegowda, who suffered minor injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Harsh succumbed to his injuries, leaving his family, friends, and colleagues devastated.

Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his condolences, saying, “The loss of such a young, talented officer, who was about to embark on his journey in public service, is deeply sorrowful. The potential and dedication he brought to his work have been tragically lost in this incident.”