Political Firestorm Ignites Over Business Tycoon's Death During Tax Raid
Political tensions escalated dramatically on Sunday following the alleged suicide of Confident Group chairman C J Roy during an Income Tax department raid at his Bengaluru office on January 30. The incident has triggered a major controversy with the Karnataka opposition alleging serious internal lapses in the operation and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding a comprehensive judicial investigation into the tragic event.
Kerala CM Seeks Judicial Inquiry, Calls Death "A Blot on Tax Administration"
Pinarayi Vijayan has formally written to union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, characterizing Roy's death as "a blot on the tax administration of the country" and highlighting what he described as grave procedural failures during the search conducted on January 30. The Kerala chief minister has urged the central government to order a judicial inquiry through a Commission of Inquiry headed by a former constitutional court judge to ensure transparency and accountability.
Vijayan cited allegations from Roy's brother that the real estate magnate had been under extreme psychological stress due to repeated Income Tax scrutiny despite his full cooperation with authorities. While acknowledging the importance of curbing tax evasion, Vijayan emphasized that no enforcement action could justify the loss of a human life in a civilized democracy. He raised critical questions about how Roy could access a loaded firearm and shoot himself when the premises were supposedly under the control of tax officials during the search operation.
Karnataka Opposition Echoes Concerns, Demands Accountability
Opposition parties in Karnataka have amplified similar concerns, accusing authorities of significant internal lapses and demanding thorough accountability from both the Income Tax department and the state government. The political pressure has intensified as details of the incident continue to emerge, with multiple stakeholders calling for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Roy's death.
SIT Investigation Reveals Contradictions and Unanswered Questions
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Roy's death has recorded statements from Income Tax officials who were present at his Langford Town office on the day of the incident. Investigators revealed that the officials maintained they were on the premises only for final scrutiny of documents seized earlier and had not questioned Roy directly.
"They required Roy's signature and those of some staff members. Their role was limited to verification of records," an officer explained, adding that the officials neither seized Roy's mobile phone or briefcase nor knew he was carrying a licensed pistol.
However, police authorities cautioned that it was too early to conclusively establish whether Roy had any interaction with the officials. "What is clear is that he was not prevented from carrying out routine activities," an investigator noted. The SIT described the probe as being at a preliminary stage, with crime scene reconstruction yet to be carried out. This crucial exercise will be conducted in the presence of complainant T A Joseph, founding director and managing director of Confident Group.
Inconsistencies Emerge in Timeline and Events
Statements of several employees were recorded on Sunday, revealing significant inconsistencies in the timeline of events. Staff members told police that Roy entered his chamber around 2 pm, while Joseph mentioned 3 pm in his official complaint. Investigators have identified multiple unanswered questions about Roy's interactions that day, including:
- Whether he spoke to his mother before the incident
- The precise timing of the door being forced open
- Why no one reported hearing a gunshot despite the incident occurring in an office environment
Joseph informed police that he attempted to enter the chamber approximately ten minutes after being asked to step out but was stopped by security guards acting on instructions. He returned after another ten minutes and forced the door open when there was no response from inside.
"We are told no one heard the gunshot. The chamber has features that reduce noise, though it is not fully soundproof," an officer disclosed, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
The Tragic Incident and Background
C J Roy, 57, suffered fatal bullet injuries from his licensed firearm at his office near Richmond Circle. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Income Tax sources revealed that searches on his premises had been underway for nearly two months prior to the tragic incident, indicating prolonged scrutiny of his business operations.
Summons have been issued to Joseph, Roy's brother C J Babu, and other associates, though questioning was postponed after the family delayed taking custody of the body following the post-mortem examination. The investigation continues to unfold as authorities piece together the sequence of events that led to this devastating outcome.
