The Murky Maldivian Tragedy Just Got Murkier

For the past three decades, the gloriously azure Maldivian atolls have attracted uber-affluent global travellers seeking a safe haven—a deliriously hedonistic playground to frolic in. The main attraction was privacy and exclusivity in a secluded setting, far from the prying eyes of the nosey hoi polloi. Desi adventurers craving such a break have been flocking to Maldivian seven-star resorts for years. Most of the heavenly hotels are accessible via pricey seaplanes – a private service available to the select few for whom no price is steep enough if it ensures secrecy.

Recently, a deep and dark tragedy struck two lives – Hari Singh (59), the much-loved, much-admired hero of Indian motorsport, the first Indian to win the Asia Zone Rally Championship, and Commander Mahesh Ramchandran, a five-time national champion, former naval aviator, an Arjuna Award-winning sailo. Significantly, Mahesh was the captain of TT Ashena, the $15 million luxury, yacht, custom built for recreational racing and owned by billionaire Industrialist Gautam Singhania.

In the early hours of Friday morning, a speedboat custom built for recreational racing , which was ferrying seven people to TT Ashena, abruptly overturned, throwing five of the seven people into the ominously dark, cold, turbulent waters surrounding the Vaavu atoll.

According to reports, there were two women on the yacht, a British national and a Russian. Besides, the host Gautam Singhania, his friends Manek Bhardwaj and Jagdish Singh Athani. And of course, Hari Singh and Mahesh Ramchandran, who are no more.

All eyes were on just one of the five survivors—the flamboyant chairman of the Raymond Group, Gautam Singhania, who got away with minor injuries and was allowed to leave the Maldives before the police and other authorities could complete an investigation into what appears to be a case of reckless, negligent driving that endangered seven lives. Shujau Ali, President of the Vaavu Atoll Council, pointed out :Under the Maldivian Law of Navigation of vessels at sea, foreigners are not allowed to drive any recreational vessels on their own..... there was no Maldivian national on board this boat that was especially designed for recreational racing.'' He further added, '' It is not something someone in a good condition of mind would ever do..:"

This is where the narrative gets complicated and sordid. The person at the wheel of the speedboat allegedly lost control, resulting in a grisly turn of events during which one of the guests ( Bharadwaj ) lost his arm following an emergency amputation.

Mum’s the word

Several frantic hours and much suspense later, the bodies of Hari Singh and Mahesh Ramchandran were found trapped deep inside coral reefs, after an intensive search conducted by the Maldives National Defence Force, with the Male Area Command Guard Second Squadron, which covered a maritime area of 3450 square nautical miles. Additionally,the MNDF Air Corps conducted aerial surveillance, while divers conducted underwater surveys. .

But guess what? Barring a front-page report a day after the accident, the story has all but disappeared from the media, save for a few scanty mentions with inadequate information. The Initial headlines were only about the safety of Gautam Singhania—how he was back in Mumbai being treated for “minor injuries”. His close monitoring of the ongoing search etc. Good for him. He was luckier than the two who died, the one who lost his forearm, and the Russian woman recovering in hospital after drifting in the sea till she was rescued. Gautam got away comparatively unscathed..

The entire ugly episode raises uncomfortable questions—some legal. More importantly, it is shocking that key humanitarian concerns were conveniently overlooked. The Chairman is safe—the Lord be praised—but what about the rest? Are they not important enough because they weren't VVIPs?

Who was at the wheel of the capsized speedboat? Who was responsible for its absurdly high speed (reportedly 200 nautical miles per hour)? Is it true that the steering wheel came off on its own, causing the boat to overturn? What was the exact sequence of events once the ghastly accident was reported to local authorities? Was a drunk/drugged out driver steering the speedboat when the accident took place?

Local outrage in the Maldives is palpable, with some daring and concerned citizens sharing accounts of the horrific aftermath and an alleged cover-up. Are the Maldivian police that corrupt that they looked the other way as Singhania made a hasty retreat to safety before the heat got to him? Apparently, there is no record of the Indian billionaire getting treated at the hospital in Felidhoo. Police records are equally vague.

Horrified observers claim millions were paid to the ruling party (PNC), led by President Mohamed Muizzu—who started the #IndiaOut movement—to sort out the mess. Local people are demanding answers: how was Singhania allowed to flee the country, leaving behind a trail of evidence? There is anger over the impunity of it all, with hospital authorities claiming Singhania was rude and refused to reveal personal details - a mandatory requirement.

Angered Maldivians want Singhania back in the Maldives to answer serious questions, since, according to social media posts, he allegedly told the police he was at the wheel when the accident took place in the rough seas. These are serious charges.

But given how well-connected Singhania is to politicians and police in India (perhaps, in the Maldives, too), there isn’t much hope of anything tangible emerging from the stories flying around. Remember, local elections in the Maldives are scheduled for April 4th. Muizzu could do with the infusion of serious money to fuel his campaign.

Let’s pray that once the sensationalistic angle of the case wears off, the grief-stricken families of the victims are offered more than just solace and lip service. No amount of monetary compensation will make up for the loss or bring back the legend Hari Singh or the top former athlete Mahesh Ramchandran, back to their inconsolable families. But the perpetrators of the accident will have the deaths of two innocents (directly linked to rash, irresponsible conduct ) on their conscience.

It's truly awful what big money can buy: silence and complicity. Sadly, it opens doors and shuts mouths. May the souls of the two good men find eternal peace. RIP.

Rokda rules

Mumbai is an ajeeb place. It accommodates criminals of various shades without the slightest social discomfort. Ranks close, old favours are called in. Elegant blackmail tactics kick in. Intimidation and ostracisation follow. Jugaads get done.

Yes, it’s possible to get away with murder and abuse, cheating and financial fraud, if the rokda is arranged at the right time. Memory is conveniently short—the party never stops. Yeh Hai Mumbai, meri jaan…