Maharashtra top cop Himanshu Roy
Maharashtra's Additional Director General of Police Himanshu Roy, credited with directing investigations into several sensational crimes and high-profile cases, committed suicide by shooting himself in the mouth on Friday afternoon. His suicide note revealed that he took the extreme step "out of frustration" while battling cancer.
Often referred to as 'Arnold Schwarznegger' of Mumbai Police, the 54-year old Roy shot himself in the mouth with his service revolver at his house in Suniti Apartments at Nariman Point shortly after 1 p.m.
Mumbai police, citing his suicide note, said the 1988-batch Indian Police Service officer took the extreme step "out of frustration" due to his illness.
"Roy was on medical leave for the last two years as he had cancer and the suicide note, in his own handwriting makes it clear that he ended his life out of frustration due to this illness," a police statement said.
Roy, who is survived by his mother and wife, would have been 55 next month.
He was considered a fitness enthusiast and had been on leave since 2016, undergoing treatment for cancer.
The officer had served in elite groups of the Maharashtra Police, including as chief of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and in the Crime Branch.
Roy is credited with being involved in the solving of a string of prominent cases, including the murders of journalist J Dey, fringe Bollywood actor Laila Khan and law graduate Pallavi Purkhayasta in Mumbai.
He was also part of the team which pursued leads related to American-born Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley, who was involved in carrying out a recce mission ahead of the 26/11 terror strike.
Roy, who was joint commissioner of police (Crime) from 2012-2014, is credited with leading the investigation into the IPL betting scandal.
He was then transferred to the state ATS. During his tenure as the agency's chief, software engineer Anees Ansari was arrested for allegedly planning to blow up the American school at the Bandra Kurla complex.
The Cuffe Parade police station in south Mumbai has registered a case of accidental death, police said, adding further investigation into the matter is underway.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condoled Roy's demise, describing him as a dedicated police officer.
Maharashtra Congress president and former CM Ashok Chavan said Roy was an officer known for his bravery and integrity.
Former Mumbai police commissioner M N Singh termed him a courageous and hardworking officer.
"He was suffering from cancer but he was fighting it. It is very unfortunate that he had to end his life like this," Singh told reporters after visiting Roy's family to express his condolences.
"Roy was a very enterprising, dashing and resourceful person," former ACP Iqbal Sheikh said.
"Very shocking that he has gone. Prima facie, it appears that he took the extreme steps due to his illness," added a former colleague.
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(With agency inputs)
