Mumbai, (The Hindu): A day after senior Maharashtra cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Himanshu Roy committed suicide, his family issued a statement thanking his numerous colleagues and well-wishers who had reached out.

A statement put out by Roy's brother-in-law and author Amish Tripathi said: "There were many among you who reached out to us yesterday to offer condolences at this time of grief. Himanshu had touched so many lives through his sterling career, that there were too many for us to personally respond to. Please take this statement as our thanks to you for your support, kindness and grace."

Roy who was on sick leave since 2016, committed suicide on Friday afternoon when he shot himself with a licensed private gun. Roy was rushed to hospital by his wife and his aides but was declared brought dead.

Roy's family also announced that a prayer meet would be organised soon. "We will be organising a prayer meeting soon and will keep all of you informed, either personally or through the media. Until then, may we request if you could respect the family's privacy at this time," the statement said.

The family also noted that Himanshu Roy was a very spiritual man. "We know that he would like all the sacred traditions carried out for his funeral. This is our main focus right now," the statement said.

The family also requested well-wishers to remember and celebrate how Roy lived. "He lived with grace, dignity, courage, honour, intense patriotism and a proud commitment to duty. We, in our own small way, are trying to follow in his footsteps as we navigate this most difficult phase our lives," the statement added, signed off by wife Bhavna Roy, sister Nehal Vyas, Anish Tripathi, Ashish Tripathi, Amish Tripathi and the Dasundi and Tripathi families.