Bengaluru Real Estate Magnate CJ Roy Found Dead in Office During Income Tax Search Operation
In a shocking development that has sent ripples through Bengaluru's business community, Confident Group chairman C J Roy was found dead at his office in Langford Town on Friday afternoon. The 57-year-old real estate tycoon allegedly sustained a fatal gunshot injury to the left side of his chest using his own pistol between 3pm and 3.10pm.
Ongoing Income Tax Scrutiny Preceded Tragic Incident
According to preliminary information from police sources, a team of Income Tax officials from Kochi, Kerala, working in coordination with their Bengaluru counterparts, had been conducting searches at the Confident Group office for the past three days. This operation was described as a continuation of a larger raid carried out last month, during which I-T officials had scrutinized and seized certain documents from the company premises.
Timeline of the Fateful Day
The sequence of events on Friday unfolded as follows:
- 12 noon: I-T officers arrived at Confident Group's office in Bengaluru
- 2 pm: CJ Roy walked into his office premises
- 2–3 pm: Officials asked him to sign and review certain documents
- 3 pm: Roy went into his private cabin, reportedly to retrieve documents
- 3–3.10 pm: Took out his pistol and shot himself in the chest before collapsing
- 3.10–4 pm: Employees and officials rushed Roy in an ambulance to Narayana Hospital in HSR Layout where doctors declared him dead on arrival
Weapon Details and Immediate Response
The weapon used in the incident is believed to be licensed, though police authorities have stated this detail is still under verification. City police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirmed that while investigators know it was a hand-held weapon, its exact make and calibre need to be confirmed by the ballistics team currently conducting its probe.
"While there is one bullet wound on Roy's body, we need to investigate further to ascertain how many rounds he might have fired," police officials stated.
Family Background and Personal Habits
Roy's wife and two children—a son and a daughter, both in their early 20s—are based in Dubai and were expected to reach Bengaluru early on Saturday. While Roy's mother lives near Nexus mall in Koramangala, an aide revealed he rarely stayed with her, typically opting for five-star hotels in the central business district during his visits to Bengaluru.
A close aide told media that Roy always kept his briefcase close to him as it contained his pistol. "On rare occasions when he left it behind, he would immediately send his bodyguards to fetch it," the aide added, highlighting the businessman's consistent proximity to the weapon.
Official Statements and Case Registration
Police quoted I-T officials as saying: "Roy was not restricted from doing his regular work today, as we were only conducting scrutiny to lift prohibitory orders against his firm." Police did not confirm whether Roy's private cabin was under CCTV surveillance at the time of the incident.
A formal case was registered based on a complaint by T A Joseph, founding-director and MD of the Confident Group. An investigating officer confirmed that the complaint did not make any allegations against the I-T officials. "We, therefore, registered a case of unnatural death. We may file a separate FIR in case the family members make any fresh allegations," the officer stated.
Family Allegations and Business Community Shock
Roy's brother, CJ Babu, who owns WhiteGold, told reporters that Income Tax officials from Kerala had been carrying out searches in Bengaluru for the last three days. Alleging official pressure, Babu claimed Roy died by suicide using a pistol and held the I-T team responsible for his death. He stated that although Roy's family lives in Dubai, Roy had come back to Bengaluru after being directed by I-T officials to remain present in the city.
Those who knew Roy expressed profound shock at the incident. "In all these years of working with Roy, he never came across as weak-hearted. His death comes as a shock," an aide remarked, reflecting the disbelief within Roy's professional circle.
The tragic incident has raised numerous questions about the circumstances leading to the death of one of Bengaluru's prominent real estate figures during an ongoing government investigation.
