Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge Slams IT Department Over CJ Roy's Death
Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday strongly condemned the death of Confident Group chairman CJ Roy, terming it a clear case of "pure harassment" by the Income Tax Department. In a sharp accusation against the central government, Kharge alleged that agencies like the IT Department, Enforcement Directorate, and GST authorities are being systematically misused to target small and medium enterprises, micro, small and medium enterprises, individuals, and industrialists who do not align with the current administration's political stance.
Minister's Strong Accusations Against Central Agencies
Kharge's remarks came just one day after Roy allegedly died by suicide in Bengaluru on Friday, according to official statements. The minister did not mince words when he stated, "This is nothing but harassment by the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate officials, and it is happening across the country. This is the third or fourth such instance in Karnataka alone."
Elaborating further on his serious allegations, Kharge emphasized that central agencies have been transformed into instruments of harassment, specifically targeting individuals who earn their livelihoods through legal means. He pointed out that this issue extends beyond mere political rhetoric, noting that Roy's own family members have made similar claims regarding the pressure they faced.
Family's Presence and Investigation Details
CJ Roy's wife Lina Roy and son Rohith Roy arrived at the Bowring Hospital post-mortem centre in Bengaluru on Saturday, accompanied by Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee president Mohammed Nalapad. Meanwhile, forensic teams including the Scene of Crime Officer and Forensic Science Laboratory are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Roy's death.
Bengaluru City police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh provided official confirmation, stating, "An incident occurred today within the limits of Ashok Nagar police station, where the chairman of the Confident Group shot himself. The SOCO and FSL teams are investigating the matter. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead."
Karnataka Home Minister Reveals IT Raid Timeline
Earlier on Saturday, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara disclosed significant details about the Income Tax Department's actions against Roy's company. Speaking to media representatives in Bengaluru, Parameshwara revealed that Roy's company had been raided by the Income Tax Department in December 2025 and was given a sixty-day window to file a chargesheet.
Parameshwara specified that the deadline for filing the chargesheet was set for February 4, and noted that Roy had returned from Dubai just three days prior to the incident. The home minister added that Roy had fully cooperated with Income Tax officials who visited his office to record his statement, responding appropriately to their queries.
Minister Kharge's Call for Comprehensive Investigation
In his concluding statements, Priyank Kharge made it clear that the state government intends to pursue a thorough investigation into the matter. He declared, "Whatever the case may be, we will investigate it. We will even investigate the IT officials who were present there." This statement underscores the government's commitment to examining not only the circumstances of Roy's death but also the conduct of the officials involved in the Income Tax proceedings against him.
The tragic incident has sparked a significant political controversy in Karnataka, with state ministers openly challenging the methods employed by central investigative agencies. The case continues to develop as forensic teams work to establish the complete sequence of events leading to Roy's death, while political figures demand accountability and transparency in the functioning of central agencies operating within the state.
