DCP Sanjay Banerjee, who shot himself at Goa Portuguesa restaurant in Thane on Saturday, had expressed his lack of will to live to his elder son Arjun (14) just before he took the extreme step. He followed by saying that he had ensured the safety of his family.
The Thane police also said that he was severely inebriated at the time of the incident and had consumed liquor, both at his residence and at the hotel.
“I have lost the will to live, but I have ensured that you all will be safe,” Banerjee was quoted as saying to Arjun. The boy also worriedly asked his father why he had made such a statement. “Aap aise kyun bol rahe ho? (Why are you talking like this?)” Arjun asked. “The food had arrived at their table and they had just served themselves. Banerjee had also consumed three to four tequila shots,” Thane police chief K.P. Raghuvanshi said.
Banerjee then drew his personal firearm, a licensed .32 pistol and shot himself on the right temple. The weapon was bought and issued in Mumbai and registered with the local police in Thane.
According to Mr Raghuvanshi, while it is still unclear if the reason behind the suicide was marital discord or professional stress, the fact that Banerjee was severely depressed is certain.
“The restaurant staff and the waiters have confirmed to us that he had ordered liquor and was inebriated. Although the family is yet to give us a detailed and clear statement, it is proven beyond doubt that he was immensely depressed. It is possible that the alcohol may have induced the extreme step,” added Mr Raghuvanshi.
Apparently, the staff of the Goa Portuguesa restaurant also switched off the CCTV camera after a trial run. The hotel was inaugurated recently and the footfall was also low when the Banerjees visited. The police said that the family is still in a state of shock and a detailed statement is pending.