Bengaluru: In a shocking development that has sent ripples through India’s business community, the Confident Group has publicly accused Income Tax Department officials of contributing to the death of its chairman, C.J. Roy. The company claims that continuous pressure and alleged harassment during official inspections forced the real estate magnate into taking the extreme step of ending his life.
According to the Confident Group, officials from the Income Tax Department arrived at the company’s Ashok Nagar headquarters in Bengaluru on the morning of January 30 to conduct a tax inspection. The team reportedly questioned Roy and requested various financial records. During this interaction, Roy excused himself to retrieve documents from his office. Minutes later, a gunshot was heard from his room, prompting staff and officials to rush in. Tragically, Roy was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention at Narayana Hospital, he was declared dead on arrival.
The Confident Group, through its legal counsel, alleged that the Income Tax officials repeatedly pressured Roy and that this relentless scrutiny directly contributed to his decision to take his own life. The company also raised concerns regarding the jurisdiction of Kerala-based officials conducting inspections in Karnataka, questioning whether the proper legal protocols had been followed. The group claims that Roy had previously approached the Karnataka High Court seeking relief from such inspections, which had been temporarily granted before being lifted, allowing the proceedings to continue.
C.J. Roy was a well-known figure in South India’s real estate sector, as the founder and chairman of the Confident Group. Under his leadership, the company completed over 160 residential and commercial projects in Bengaluru and expanded into Kerala and the Gulf. Beyond real estate, Roy made notable contributions to the Malayalam film industry, producing acclaimed movies including Casanova, Identity, Anomi, and Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea. His sudden death has shocked both the corporate world and the film fraternity.
Authorities in Bengaluru have confirmed that the death is currently being treated as a suicide, pending post-mortem and forensic investigations. CCTV footage and other evidence from the office are being examined to determine the exact circumstances. While the Confident Group has directly accused the Income Tax officials, the department has not issued any official response. The incident has ignited broader discussions about the mental health pressures faced by corporate executives and the limits of regulatory authority in such investigations.
The tragic death of C.J. Roy raises serious questions about the methods employed by regulatory agencies and the stress experienced by business leaders under intense scrutiny. Legal experts note that while preliminary reports indicate suicide, any claims of harassment or overreach by officials will require rigorous investigation. The incident has become a focal point for debates on corporate compliance pressures, executive well-being, and the jurisdictional powers of central authorities.