Bengaluru: The tragic demise of renowned real estate entrepreneur Dr. C.J. Roy, chairman of the Confident Group, has sparked a storm of controversy after his family publicly accused senior Income Tax officials of subjecting him to relentless mental harassment. The family claims that the pressure exerted during an ongoing IT investigation drove Roy to take the extreme step of ending his life at his Bengaluru office.
According to CJ Babu, Roy’s brother, officials from the Income Tax Department conducted an extended and intrusive examination of the Confident Group’s records over several days. The family has specifically named Additional Commissioner of Income Tax Krishna Prasad as the officer primarily responsible for what they describe as “severe mental torture.” CJ Babu insisted that while all documentation had been provided and Roy had cooperated fully, the aggressive questioning and continuous pressure created an unbearable environment for the industrialist.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday evening at Roy’s Ashok Nagar corporate office in Bengaluru. While officials were reviewing company records, gunshots were heard from Roy’s office. He was discovered with fatal injuries from a licensed firearm. Initial police reports categorized the death as a suicide; however, the family vehemently disputes this, attributing the tragedy to the psychological pressure from the tax officials.
Babu highlighted that Roy had no outstanding financial issues or business liabilities, and had been in normal spirits in the days leading to the incident. The family claims that repeated scrutiny, even after previous cooperation with tax authorities in December, created extreme stress, ultimately culminating in his death. “He had been normal in our last conversation and had upcoming professional engagements,” Babu said, emphasizing the suddenness and shock of the incident.
The Confident Group, a prominent real estate conglomerate in South India, has been under routine income tax investigation. While the purpose of such investigations is enforcement of the law, the family’s accusations suggest that procedural methods may have crossed into harassment. The case has raised concerns among business communities and the public about the balance between regulatory oversight and mental well-being of taxpayers.
Police and Income Tax authorities have not yet issued formal comments on the family’s allegations. Investigations into both the circumstances of Roy’s death and the conduct of IT officials are reportedly ongoing. Meanwhile, media and public attention continue to focus on the potential misuse of authority and the psychological toll of high-pressure audits on prominent individuals.
The incident has ignited a broader debate across business forums and media outlets on the need for humane approaches in regulatory practices. Observers point out that while accountability and enforcement are essential, excessive pressure can have devastating personal consequences, as seen in this case. The tragic death of C.J. Roy underscores the critical importance of balancing enforcement with empathy and mental health considerations.