“He has never complained of work or pressure. Even if he went home late in the night, he would be the first to report in case of an emergency. He was very dedicated, and there has never been any allegations against him of taking bribe or patronising unlawful activities,” said his colleague at Ayanavaram police station, who has worked with him for the past one year. 

There were many from the local neighbourhood who gathered in front of the police station even at late hours. A few women even broke down at the spot. G Kanimozhi, one of his colleagues, said he spoke to her as usual when she met him around 9.30 pm on Tuesday. “He said he would meet me at the court on Wednesday as he had some work,” she said.

When he turned 33, his colleagues used to make fun of Sathishkumar that he would get married only at the age of 60. But his family had just started looking for alliance for him. “He was buying home appliances to set up the house for his new life,” said Kanimozhi, unable to control her tears. With his brothers and other relatives stating in the city itself, Sathishkumar would go to his native, Melayur in Kumbakonam, only one a year. He last met his parents Rajaram and Ambika when he went home for Pongal. 

According to his brother Ganeshkumar, who runs a garment business, Sathishkumar had visited his house on Tuesday morning and spent time with his two-year-old kid. “He also called our parents around 7 pm and asked them about everything, right from our crops to cattle. So it was difficult to believe when we were told that he committed suicide. I have seen him upset about work earlier, but he was very content on Tuesday,” he said.

His other brother Selvakumar is helping him in the business, while their father Rajaraman is a retired PWD official. A dual Master’s degree holder, Sathishkumar cleared the test easily and joined the force though he was not particularly passionate about police job, Ganeshkumar added. 

Meanwhile, the emotionally-charged relatives at his native alleged he took the extreme step due work pressure and torture by senior officers. 

“He had told us that he would come to the village next week to see the bride,” said his uncle Viswanathan. According to him, Sathishkumar appeared frustrated a few weeks ago, but did not disclose the reason to his parents. He urged the government to order a detailed investigation into the death.

Almost the entire village has gathered at his residence, while relatives were making arrangements for his funeral on Thursday.

With two policemen committing suicide in a gap of three days in Chennai, the city police are contemplating to start counselling programme for police personnel. 

“We will plan such programme for police personnel,” said Chennai police commissioner AK Viswanathan, who had visited the Ayanavaram station on Wednesday morning. The state police had organised a mega grievance meet for police personnel, attended by the state DGP, but the recent suicides indicate that these efforts are not enough.