Police Launch Detailed Probe into C J Roy’s Death After Income Tax Raid; Family Alleges Harassment

Bengaluru: Police have launched a detailed investigation into the death of Malayali industrialist and Confident Group Chairman C J Roy (57), who died by suicide during an Income Tax raid. Family members allege that Roy took his life due to continuous mental harassment by the IT officials and claimed that the raid continued even after his death, with documents being taken away. Police will record statements from both the family and Income Tax officials.

Post-mortem procedures have been completed, and reports say the body will be brought to his brother’s house by 10 on Thursday morning, after which the body will be kept for public viewing. The timing of the funeral has not yet been decided.

The tragic incident occurred around 3.15 p m on Wednesday at the Confident Group headquarters in Bengaluru. Roy reportedly shot himself in the chest with his licensed firearm. He was rushed to a private hospital in HSR Layout but succcumbed to the injuries.

Industry insiders allege that persistent pressure from a central agency led to his shocking suicide, which has stunned the business community. Reports suggest that Confident Group had sold land worth 700 crore rupees in Bengaluru last week and was planning to invest the proceeds in projects in Kerala, when BJP leaders allegedly demanded a large sum. It is alleged that the raid was a move to pressure him.

As per reports, Income Tax officials from Kerala had been conducting raids for the past three days at hi scompany's HQ in Bengaluru. Roy had arrived at the office around noon. Confident Group has been pursuing legal action against repeated raids before the Appellate Tribunal and the Karnataka High Court. A similar raid was conducted in December as well.

Dr. C J Roy, a native of Thrissur, founded Confident Group in 2006. The group has major investments across more than 100 real estate projects in Bengaluru, various parts of Kerala, and Gulf countries. Roy was also a film producer, funding big-budget films starring Mohanlal like Casanova and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham. He also produced actress Bhavana’s upcoming film Anomie and sponsored several television shows.

Roy served as the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic and was actively involved in philanthropic activities, including building houses as part of Kerala’s flood rehabilitation efforts. He held a doctorate in Business Administration from SBS Business School, Switzerland, and had previously worked with multinational company HP before establishing hiw own business.

He is survived by his wife Lini Roy and children Rohith and Ria.