Coimbatore's Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Vijayakumar IPS, who died by suicide on Friday - July 7, was largerly known as an efficient police officer and known for playing vital roles in important cases. Vijayakumar was 45 years old and had decorated various key roles in several districts. The deceased police officer was a native of Theni district in Tamil Nadu and his death had immensely saddened the entire police department. 

Vijayakumar was a 2009-batch IPS officer and through has unparalleled service, he reached to one of the paramount posts in the police service in short time. He had been serving as the DIG of Coimbatore range and his death by suicide had revealed that he had also been battling the prolonged depression. After learning about his demise, several political leaders from Chief Minister MK Stalin to Opposition leader Edappadi Palaniswami have paid tribute and expressed condolences to the bereaving family. 

Who is deceased officer Vijayakumar IPS? 

After joining IPS service, Vijayakumar went on to serve as the Superintendent of Police (SP)  in the districts such as Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur. While serving in the Theni district as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Vijayakumar was instrumental in bringing out a huge scam of impersonation in NEET medical exams in 2019. The students who cleared the NEET through impersonation had joined the medical college in Theni. 

When the scam came to light, Vijayakumar and his police team inquired the case that led to the arrest of several students and middlemen. During his stint as SP in Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, Vijayakumar had arrested those who involved in a major scam connected with the Group 1, Group 2, and Group 4 exams. After serving as SP, Vijayakumar was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Anna Nagar range in Chennai. 

While serving as the DCP, a bank in Arumbakkam, Chennai witnessed a robbery. Vijayakumar took the case and with his astute investigation, he had arrested the people involved in robbery in 40 hours since the incident occurred. It was one of his successful cases during his stint as DCP and this January, he was promoted as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) and he was posted to the Coimbatore range.

The Coimbatore range covers the districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, and The Nilgiris. Vijayakumar was a top police officer who was responsible for the law and order in the western belt of Tamil Nadu. Following his tragic death, it came to the revelation that he had been serving from depression for years. According to reports, on Friday, he walked from his residence to his camp office and while he entered the building, he asked the gunman to hand over his revolver. Later, Vijayakumar went into his office and shot himself using the gunman's revolver and when the gunman rushed inisde after hearing the sound, Vijayakumar was lying dead. 

The incident took place at Vijayakumar's official residence in Red fields near Coimbatore race course. Vijayakumar came to his residence after completing his morning walk at 6.45 am on Friday and by 6.50 am, he died by suicide. The incident was reported to the top brass of the Tamil Nadu police and had shocked the entire state. 

After learning about his demise, the entire police fraternity had expressed their condolences to the bereaving family. Tamil Nadu's Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), Arun IPS has rushed to Coimbatore from Chennai to inquire about his death. While speaking to reporters, Arun has revealed that Vijayakumar has died by suicide due to depression. 

Arun said, "He (Vijayakumar) had been taking medicines for depression for the last few years. I have spoken to the doctor who treated Vijayakumar and I came to know that Vijayakumar had informed the doctor four days ago that his depression level has drastically increased. The doctor gave him new medicines to control depression and after he developed severe depression, his family move to Coimbatore four days ago," 

Arun further said, "There was no family problem or work pressure for Vijayakumar. Depression is the reason for this tragic incident. It had occurred due to medical reasons and no need to politicize the matter." Arun had addressed the reporters after he paid homage to the deceased police officer in Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. Arun has also asserted that a probe will be launched why Vijayakumar got the revolver from the gunman, who was his personal security officer. 

Vijayakumar's body was taken to his hometown of Theni where the last rites were performed. Tamil Nadu's Director-General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal, who was the head of police force, arrived in Theni along with the top brass of Tamil Nadu and paid his last respects. The last rites were performed in state honour and along with police officers, several people had also paid homage and expressed condolences to the bereaving family. 

Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his shock over the demise of the IPS officer. MK Stalin took to Twitter and wrote, "Shocked and saddened to hear about the news of the untimely death of officer Vijayakumar. He has served well in various roles, including as District Superintendent of Police. His death is a loss for the Tamil Nadu police department. My deepest condolences to his family and friends in the police force." 

கோவை சரக காவல்துறை துணைத் தலைவர் திரு. விஜயகுமார் இ.கா.ப., அவர்கள் இன்று அகால மரணம் அடைந்தார் என்ற துயரமான செய்தியைக் கேட்டு மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியும் வருத்தமும் அடைந்தேன். திரு. விஜயகுமார் அவர்கள் தனது பணிக்காலத்தில் மாவட்டக் காவல் கண்காணிப்பாளர் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு பணிப் பொறுப்புகளில்… pic.twitter.com/TryrsY3FSK

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 7, 2023