Himanshu Roy cremated with honours; B-Town mourns loss of Mumbai supercop

Senior IPS officer Himanshu Roy shot himself in the mouth and the resultant injury was visible right up to his skull

BS Web Team  |  New Delhi 

Himanshu Roy
File photo dated July 11, 2012, shows former joint commissioner of police (Crime), Himanshu Roy at a press conference in Mumbai. Roy allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself at his home on Friday

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 head here on Friday afternoon. 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., a police statement said. He was rushed to the Bombay Hospital by family members and aides where he was declared dead. A suicide note found in the house quoted Roy as saying that he was taking his life because he was disgusted with cancer, which he had been battling for some time. Roy's suicide shocked the police community. A 'Mumbai boy', Roy studied in the prestigious St. Xaviers College and became a Chartered Accountant. He cleared the UPSC exams to become an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1988 batch. During his preparations for the UPSC exams in Mumbai, he met his future wife Bhawna, who subsequently became an IAS officer but quit the civil services to devote herself to social work through NGOs in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra IPS officer Himanshu Roy, who committed suicide this afternoon, was cremated with full state honours in Mumbai late on Friday.

A large number of police personnel, former and serving IPS and IAS officers, besides political leaders, including Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, were present for Roy's final journey.

Senior IPS officer Himanshu Roy shot himself in the mouth and the resultant injury was visible right up to his skull, a doctor who first examined the deceased officer's body said.

"The patient was brought dead. He looked much thinner compared to what he was before and he had even grown a beard. He had shot himself inside his mouth and the bullet injury was visible right up to the skull," Dr Gautam Bhansali, Consultant Physician at Bombay Hospital told PTI.

He said that two other doctors, a Casualty Medical Officer (CMO) and a neurosurgeon, were also present when Roy's body was brought to Bombay Hospital.

When asked if the bullet was stuck inside the skull, Bhansali said it was not visible from the outside but the post mortem would give more details.

"After declaring him dead, we sent the body to Gokuldas Tejpal (GT) hospital for post-mortem," he said.

Bhansali further said that Roy's wife, along with the police officer's bodyguards, had brought his body to the hospital.

Who was Himanshu Roy Maharastara IPS officer Himanshu Roy would leave a deep impact on people with his dramatic moustache, rippling muscles, and a rich baritone, before cancer took its toll. The over six-feet tall officer was very particular about fitness and would attend Bollywood and social events regularly. He was a teetotaller and had a penchant for Hindustani classical music. The 1988-batch Indian Police Service officer, who had been on leave since 2016, was undergoing treatment for cancer. He would have been 55 next month. The officer became the youngest SP of Nasik (rural) in 1995. Thereafter, he took charge as SP, Ahmednagar; DCP Economic Offences Wing, DCP Traffic, DCP Zone 1, and Commissioner of Police, Nasik. He was appointed Joint Commissioner of Police Mumbai in 2009 and is credited with setting up Mumbai's first Cyber Crime Cell, the women's cell, and taking anti-dacoity measures in rural Maharashtra. He had a number of crucial cases to his credit, including those related to the murders of journalist J Dey and Bollywood actor Laila Khan, the Kohinoor Mill rape case and the Goregaon diamond heist. 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. Mumbai terror attack convict and Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged to death during Roy's tenure as Mumbai crime branch chief. Roy was an alumnus of St Xavier's College, Mumbai. He had also worked as a CA at Arthur Andersen, one of the best accounting firms in the world, before he cleared the UPSC examination and joined the IPS.

Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, opposition leaders as well as the prosecutors who had worked with senior IPS officer Himanshu Roy today condoled his death, calling it a loss for the state police.

"Himanshu Roy was a dedicated police officer. He was an asset for the police force. Roy was known for his remarkable investigation skills.... His demise is a great loss for the state police force," the governor said in his message.

Chief minister Fadnavis noted that Roy successfully handled several important cases. "In his sudden death, we have lost a dedicated officer. I share the grief of his family members," Fadnavis said.

Former state home minister and Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil told PTI that he had met Roy at a gym only yesterday. "We spoke for about 20 minutes. When I told him that his skin had darkened, he said it was effect of chemotherapy. There is a limit to (efficacy of) chemotherapy. It's unending and not easy," Patil said.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil described Roy's death as shocking. "He was an upright officer and a close friend. His untimely exit is a personal loss to me," Vikhe Patil said.

Former chief minister Ashok Chavan said Roy was known for his bravery and integrity, and his contribution to maintaining law and order in the state will always be remembered.

The special public prosecutors who worked with Roy in prominent cases such as the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack fondly remembered him.

 Popular Bollywood celebrities like Riteish Deshmukh, Manoj Bajpayee and Farhan Akhtar offered condolence over the tragic demise of Himanshu Roy. "Saddened to hear of Himanshu Roy committing suicide. Deepest condolences to his family and all his colleagues in the Police department," Farhan Akhtar tweeted. Actor Manoj Bajpayee said he was "shocked" when he heard about Roy's death. Actor Riteish Deshmukh wrote: "Himanshu Roy no more.

Is absolutely shocking and tragic. My deepest condolences to the family and his loved ones. Big loss to the Mumbai Police and Maharashtra state." Actress Renuka Shahane said: Shocked by the suicide of supercop Himanshu Roy. RIP sir. Thank you for your remarkable service." Lara Dutta Bhupathi: Saddened and shocked to hear of the tragic loss of Himanshu Roy. He was larger than life in person and in reputation. Deepest condolences to his family and to Mumbai Police. Ravi Kishan: Very sad news super hero cop Himanshu Roy no more may his soul rest in peace. Jai Hind. Ashoke Pandit: Himanshu Roy you were the Dabangg of Mumbai Police... The news of your suicide is heart breaking. You gave strength and confidence to the city of Mumbai in your lifetime. Mumbai will miss you forever... May you find peace in your second innings and be the Dabangg that you always were.

With agency inputs

First Published: Sat, May 12 2018. 10:00 IST