Tue Dec 03 19:12:10 UTC 2024: ## Young IPS Officer Dies in Tragic Highway Accident Before First Posting
**Hassan, Karnataka –** A promising young IPS officer, 26-year-old Harsh Bardhan, tragically lost his life in a road accident just days before beginning his first posting in Holenarasipur, Hassan district. The accident occurred on the Hassan-Mysuru Highway when a tire reportedly blew out on the police vehicle he was traveling in, causing it to veer off the road and collide with a tree.
Bardhan, a native of Madhya Pradesh, had recently graduated from the Karnataka Police Academy in Mysuru and was lauded for his dedication and commitment to public service, following in the footsteps of his father who was also a public servant. He achieved his lifelong dream of becoming an IPS officer this year, joining the 2023 batch.
The tragedy sparked an outpouring of grief and prompted questions about road safety. A college classmate, Shailendra Singh, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his sadness and frustration, questioning the lack of safer vehicles for officers. “Why don’t we prioritize five-star safety cars?” he asked, highlighting that Bardhan hadn’t even received his first salary.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also expressed his condolences, lamenting the loss of such a dedicated young officer. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those in public service and underscores the need for improved road safety measures. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
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