Karnataka IPS Officer Dies In Road Accident, Classmate Shares Moving Note: ‘Life Can Be Cruel’

Last Updated:December 03, 2024, 13:34 IST

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also paid his condolences to the deceased officer’s family.

A 26-year-old IPS officer died in a road accident in the Hassan district of Karnataka. The officer, identified as Harsh Bardhan, was a 2023-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre and was on his way to take up his first posting as a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police in Holenarasipur. The officer’s death has sparked questions about road safety and the need for high-quality vehicles.

As per police reports, the accident took place after his vehicle suffered a tyre burst and the driver lost control. The vehicle veered off the road and collided with a tree following which the officer sustained severe head injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the young officer succumbed to his injuries.

Informing about the incident, Additional Director General of Police Alok Kumar wrote, “We lost our 2023 batch IPS Probationer Harsha Vardhan to a road accident this evening near Hassan. After finishing training at Karnataka Police Academy, he proceeded to Hassan for district training. Young and precious life lost. Road safety needs due attention at all levels. Deeply saddened.”

Now, the classmate of the deceased officer, Shailendra Singh, who studied with Bardhan in college, took to X and shared his feelings over the tragic loss. Expressing his grief, he penned an emotional note and raised questions about the quality of the vehicle provided to the officer. “I am feeling so sad and frustrated right now. Harsh was my classmate in college. He worked hard all his life and cleared UPSC. An IPS officer lost his life because he was travelling in a Mahindra Bolero and its tires burst. Why don’t we prioritise five-star safety cars?” he questioned.

“He was going to join the office as a DSP for the first time. He did not even receive his first salary. Life can be cruel. Be safe everyone and talk to your friends and family regularly,” he said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also paid his condolences to the deceased officer’s family. He tweeted, “Saddened to hear about the death of probationary IPS officer Harsh Bardhan in a horrific accident near the Kittane border of the Hassan-Mysuru Highway. It is very sad that such an accident happened while he was on his way to take charge as an IPS officer. This should not have happened when years of hard work were paying off.”

“I pray to God that Harsh Bardhan’s soul rests in peace. My condolences to the family of the deceased,” he added.

The post caught the attention of several users. Reacting to the video, a user wrote, “Tragic. A young and promising life was lost just like that. Condolences to the family..”

Another said, “Very Sad to know. We should seriously work on Road Safety.”

Harsh Bardhan, son of a sub-divisional magistrate, fulfilled his dream of becoming an IPS officer with his induction into the 2023 batch. He had recently completed his four-week training at the Karnataka Police Academy in Mysuru.