Malé/Mumbai, March 2026 — A high-speed maritime accident in the Maldives has left the Indian motorsports and sailing communities in shock, as two prominent figures remain missing following the capsizing of a speedboat linked to industrialist Gautam Singhania. While the Raymond Group Chairman has returned to India to recover from minor injuries, search operations for his companions have entered a critical seventh day with “hopes wearing thin”.

The Midnight Crash near Vaavu Atoll

The incident occurred late on Thursday night, March 19, near the Vaavu Atoll, close to Fulidhoo Island. A speedboat carrying seven passengers overturned approximately two nautical miles southwest of Keyodhoo while traveling at high speeds.

According to Maldivian police, five of the seven individuals on board were rescued from the water, all sustaining varying degrees of injury. One Indian national reportedly suffered a severed arm and has been flown back to India for emergency treatment, while a Russian woman remains hospitalized in the Maldives.

Missing: A “Towering Figure” and a Naval Veteran

The two men still unaccounted for are among India’s most decorated sporting icons:

• Hari Singh (59): A five-time national champion and the first Indian to win the Asia Zone Rally Championship. He is considered a “towering figure” in Indian motorsport.
• Commander Mahesh Ramachandran: An Arjuna Award-winning sailor and former naval aviator. He served as the captain of Singhania’s luxury yacht, Asha, managing its crew and operations.

The group had been holidaying on Singhania’s superyacht in the Indian Ocean before deciding to take the speedboat out for racing shortly after midnight.

Questions Over Who Was at the Wheel

The accident has sparked a wave of “anguish and anger” within the racing community due to a lack of official clarity. While there is no formal confirmation, local industry sources suggested that Gautam Singhania may have been driving the vessel at the time of the crash.

A spokesperson for Singhania has strongly dismissed these claims as “irresponsible speculation,” instead attributing the disaster to a “serious mechanical failure”. The statement emphasized that Singhania is closely monitoring the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts, which now include aerial surveillance and underwater diving teams.

Bottom Line

As the 7-day mark passes, the silence from the Maldivian waters grows heavier. For the families of Hari Singh and Commander Ramachandran, the lack of a clear timeline or verified facts has turned a tragic accident into a source of deep frustration. While the industrialist recovers in Mumbai, the search continues for two men who defined Indian excellence on land and sea.