CHENNAI: A day after the suicide of Coimbatore DIG Vijayakumar, gunman testifies that Vijayakumar had been taking medicine for insomnia since January. The gunman, Ravichandran, said that Vijayakumar asked him for a gun when he arrived after his morning stroll. After Vijayakumar went to his room, Ravichandran heard the sound of gunshots and he went into the room. The pistol and bullets used in the shooting have been sent for forensic examination.

According to reports, Vijayakumar complained of extreme mental stress to his wife and doctor and that he had been unable to sleep for three to four days. AIADMK and BJP have come forward demanding a CBI probe into the death. However, the police said that the incident should not be politicised.

The incident took place at the Racecourse camp office around 6.50 am yesterday. Vijayakumar, who went for a walk in the morning, reached the camp office around 6.45 am. He asked the personal security officer to hand over his pistol. When he came out of the office, Vijayakumar shot himself. Then other policemen who were on duty at the camp office reached the spot and informed the higher officials.

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.