After an extensive search operation in the Maldives concluded without any trace of legendary Indian rally driver Hari Singh following a speedboat accident, his family held his final prayer ceremony in Chandigarh.
Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their last respects to Singh, fondly known as the “Gypsy King”, who went missing after the March 19 accident, which also involved Raymond Group Chairman and Managing Director Gautam Singhania.
Read Full Story
While Singhania was rescued, Hari Singh and the boat’s captain, Mahesh Ramachandran, who is a former naval officer, remained untraceable.
Maldivian authorities, with support from the Indian government, carried out an intensive search effort for over eight days, well beyond the standard 72-hour rescue window. The operation involved divers, drones, light aircraft, and boats combing vast stretches of the sea near Felidhoo Island in the Maldives.
The search was officially called off late on March 28 after no trace of Singh, a five-time national champion, was found.
A towering figure in Indian motorsport, Hari Singh earned the moniker “Gypsy King” for his dominance in rallying, particularly behind the wheel of the Maruti Gypsy. While the vehicle was known for being notoriously difficult to handle at high speeds, Singh was famous for his technical precision and ability to push it to its absolute limits.
Singh secured the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) title five times during the 1990s, a period where he was nearly untouchable on the dirt tracks. He also made history by winning the inaugural Asia Zone Rally Championship, proving that Indian drivers could compete and win on an international stage.
After retiring from competitive racing, he became the Head of Operations at JK Tyre Motorsport and served as the Chief Instructor for Mercedes-Benz India. He was a mentor to almost every top-tier Indian racer active today.
– Ends
Published On:
Mar 30, 2026 16:14 IST
