Red Ink Notes and Psychiatrist Visit Deepen Mystery Around Tycoon C J Roy's Suicide
The tragic suicide of flamboyant real estate magnate C J Roy has taken a perplexing turn with the discovery of a nine-page handwritten note in red ink and revelations of a walk-in psychiatry consultation just days before his death. These findings, uncovered by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Bengaluru police, add layers to the mystery surrounding the 57-year-old chairman of the Confident Group, who died by suicide at his office on January 30, 2026.
High Court Plea and Abrupt Withdrawal
Weeks before his death, C J Roy had moved the Karnataka High Court against Income Tax (I-T) proceedings initiated by authorities in Kerala. On December 16, 2025, he filed a petition seeking to declare a search and seizure operation at his Bengaluru office and other properties as "illegal, arbitrary and without jurisdiction." However, in a surprising move, Roy withdrew the plea just two days later on December 18, with no reasons provided. Advocate Mahesh Choudhary, representing the Confident Group, acknowledged that no fresh plea was filed subsequently.
Additional Solicitor General of India Arvind Kamath stated that I-T authorities had found evidence of "undisclosed income" linked to Roy, leading to proceedings against the tycoon, who had business interests in Karnataka, Kerala, and the UAE. The search, conducted from December 3 to December 7, 2025, targeted Roy's office and the residence of director Joju Kochappan, recovering over Rs 38 lakh in cash and multiple documents.
Family Statements and Financial Health
Roy's older brother, C J Babu, initially suggested that I-T pressure was a factor, stating, "Other than the Income Tax issue, he had no other issues." However, police suspect this alone did not trigger the suicide, as the Confident Group had faced similar proceedings in the past, including a favorable court order in 2016.
Financial records indicate the group was healthy. Confident Projects India Pvt Ltd reported standalone revenue of Rs 81 crore and net profit of Rs 2.31 crore in 2023-24, with consolidated revenue reaching Rs 152 crore. Despite this, the I-T department's probe focused on alleged tax evasion, with Roy even claiming diplomatic immunity as the Honorary Consul of Slovakia in a combative letter.
Discovery of Red Ink Notes and Psychiatry Visit
The SIT's investigation revealed a nine-page note handwritten in red ink by Roy, discovered at the death scene but not handed to police until a day later, raising authenticity questions. The note discusses the nurturing of the Confident Group but does not specify a reason for his suicide.
Additionally, Roy consulted a psychiatrist at a South Bengaluru hospital a couple of days before his death in a walk-in OPD visit, indicating potential mental health struggles. The SIT has questioned dozens, including managing director Joseph T A, but found no evidence of abetment to suicide.
Ongoing Investigation and Circumstances
The SIT, led by Joint Commissioner Vamsi Krishna, is focused on understanding the circumstances rather than causes, as the complaint and note do not apportion blame. Roy's strained relationship with his brother Babu, recently patched up, adds complexity. Babu's premises were searched in March 2025 in connection with a gold smuggling racket, though no link to Roy's death has been established.
With the SIT expected to submit a preliminary report soon, the case remains shrouded in mystery, highlighting the intricate pressures faced by high-profile businessmen in India's real estate sector.
