(Image source from: Deccanchronicle.com)
Confident Group Chairman CJ Roy took his own life on Friday by shooting himself in the head at his office in Bengaluru while Income Tax raids were happening, according to the police. He was 57 years old.
On Thursday morning, the Income Tax Department raided businesses associated with him. During these searches, it was reportedly found that he had more assets than his known income could explain. "Today, an incident of shooting occurred within the Ashoka Nagar police station area. At first glance, it looks like the chairperson and founder of Confident Group, C J Roy, ended his own life. His body has been taken to Narayana Hospital located in HSR Layout," said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh to the press after visiting the scene. The commissioner mentioned that the event happened between 3 and 3:30 pm.
"Our early reports indicate that the searches have been happening for three days. The Income Tax team was questioning him today as well. Only the investigation will uncover the real details," Singh mentioned. When questioned if the case could involve encouraging suicide, he stated that the inquiry would follow based on the complaint filed. Singh also noted that the searches were led by a team from Kerala, and the police have yet to communicate with them. "Currently, none of the Income Tax officers are present. We will have discussions with them," he added. Roy's brother shared with a Malayaman news channel that the Income Tax team from Kerala first arrived on December 3 last year, staying in Bengaluru for a few days. They returned again on January 28 after asking him to come back from Dubai, he mentioned. In a post on its Facebook page, the company honored its chairman, describing him as their "beloved leader. "
"Our beloved leader may have left us, but the path he laid out for us remains. The principles he lived by and the vision he shared will continue to guide our future," they said, expressing that the entire Confident Group family is grieving the "sudden and irreversible loss" of their chairman. A well-known real estate developer, the Confident Group has a strong presence in various southern Indian states, particularly in Kerala and Karnataka. Reports suggest that Roy was troubled by ongoing IT raids. A resident of Kochi in Kerala, Roy was recognized for his extensive collection of luxury cars. He also produced Malayalam films, including the high-budget film Casanova, featuring Mohanlal in 2012. The real estate group even sponsored a few seasons of the Malayalam reality show Bigg Boss Malayalam, hosted by Mohanlal. Roy's passing has caused shockwaves through the real estate industry and among countless customers of the Confident Group.
