Top Bengaluru Developer Found Dead in Office During Income Tax Search Operation
In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through Bengaluru's corporate circles, a prominent real estate developer was found dead with gunshot wounds at his office on Friday. The discovery was made even as income tax officials were conducting a search operation at the premises as part of an ongoing investigation.
Sequence of Events During Fateful Afternoon
CJ Roy, the chairman of Confident Group, arrived at his firm's office in Langford Town around 2pm. This was approximately two hours after income tax sleuths had landed at the location to conduct their search. According to police statements, Roy was initially informed that he could leave the premises but was later asked to remain on site.
The situation took a dramatic turn around 3pm when Roy reportedly mentioned that he needed to retrieve a document from his private cabin. He entered the cabin alone, where he allegedly shot himself in the chest before collapsing. Immediate medical attention was summoned, and Roy was rushed to Narayana Hospital in critical condition.
Medical Confirmation and Police Investigation
At Narayana Hospital, doctors examined Roy upon arrival and declared him dead. A senior investigating officer confirmed that the developer had succumbed to his injuries before reaching medical facilities. Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh provided preliminary details about the weapon involved, stating it was a hand-held firearm, though he emphasized that more specific information would require confirmation from the ballistics team.
Authorities have registered a case of unnatural death based on a complaint filed by TA Joseph, the founding-director and managing director of Confident Group. The police investigation is ongoing, with officials yet to confirm whether the cabin where the incident occurred was equipped with CCTV surveillance cameras.
Family Circumstances and Business Connections
The deceased developer's immediate family members, including his wife and their two children in their early twenties, are currently in Dubai and have not yet arrived in Bengaluru. Police officials indicated that a separate First Information Report might be filed if family members raise additional allegations upon their arrival.
An aide close to Roy revealed that his mother resides in Bengaluru's Koramangala locality, though the developer reportedly spent limited time with her during his stays in the city. Roy maintained significant business interests that required him to split his time between Bengaluru, Dubai, and Kerala, with Dubai serving as a major base for his operations.
Background of Income Tax Investigation
The income tax search operation that was underway at the time of the incident had been ongoing for three consecutive days. Officials from Kochi had joined their Bengaluru counterparts to conduct thorough searches at Confident Group's office as part of their investigative procedures. The exact nature and scope of the income tax probe remain under examination as authorities continue their investigation into both the financial matters and the tragic death that occurred during the operation.
