CHENNAI: Coimbatore Deputy inspector general of Police Vijayakumar shot himself dead using a service revolver. The police concluded that the suicide was due to family issues.

The incident took place at the camp office near Race Course at around 6.50 am today. Vijayakumar, who went for a walk in the morning, reached the camp office around 6.45 am. The personal security officer was asked to hand over his pistol and Vijayakumar shot himself as he came out of the office. The other policemen who were on duty at the camp office reached the spot and informed the higher officials. According to close sources, Vijayakumar told his colleagues that he had not been able to sleep properly for several weeks and was severely depressed.However the cause of the suicide is not clear yet. The body has been shifted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for post-mortem. The police have started an investigation into the incident.

Vijayakumar, an IPS officer, joined the service in 2009. He served as the Superintendent of police in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur. He took charge as Coimbatore DIG last January.