A day after top cop Himanshu Roy, who was battling cancer committed suicide by shooting himself, his family has issued a statement thanking his well-wishers and also requested privacy.
“There were many among you who reached out to us yesterday to offer condolences at this time of grief. Himanshu had touched so many lives through his sterling career, that there were too many for us to personally respond to. Please take this statement as our thanks to you for your support, kindness and grace," the family said in a statement.
Roy, 54, who was the Additional Director General of Police (Establishment), was on medical leave since November 2016. In the past, he had served as the chief of elite Crime Branch of Mumbai Police and the chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
“He lived with grace, dignity, courage, honour, intense patriotism and a proud commitment to duty…we in our own small way are trying to follow his footsteps as we navigate this most difficult phases in our lives,” it said.
The statement issued by his wife Bhavna Roy and family also noted that Roy was a very spiritual man, “Himanshu was a spiritual man and we know that he would like all the sacred traditions to be carried out for his funeral. This is our main focus now.”
The family also requested privacy from the media. "We will be organising a prayer meeting soon and will keep all of you informed, either personally or through media. Until then, may we request if you could respect the family's privacy at this time."