What began as another tense day under official scrutiny ended in tragedy for CJ Roy, 57, the founder and chairman of the Confident Group. On Thursday afternoon, Roy died by suicide at his Bengaluru office, just hours after Income-Tax officials carried out searches at premises linked to his company.
According to police, Roy was being questioned as part of a multi-day tax investigation when he asked for a brief break, saying he wanted to speak to his family. He then walked into an adjoining room inside his office and shot himself with his licensed firearm. Staff members and officials rushed in after hearing the gunshot and shifted him to a hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
By evening, the news had sent shockwaves through Bengaluru’s business community and beyond. Roy was not just a prominent real estate developer with projects across Karnataka and Kerala, but also a familiar name in the entertainment industry, known for backing films and television shows.
On Friday morning, Roy’s wife and son arrived in Bengaluru and were seen at Bowring Hospital mortuary, where his body is currently kept. A post-mortem examination is being conducted as part of the legal process, after which the family is expected to take his body for last rites. Friends and associates say the family is in deep shock, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
In emotional statements, family members have alleged that relentless pressure during the tax raids pushed Roy to the brink. They claim he was under extreme mental stress due to prolonged questioning and uncertainty around the investigation. These allegations have intensified public debate around enforcement practices and the psychological toll of corporate investigations.
Police have registered a case at Ashok Nagar police station and say all aspects of the incident are being examined. CCTV footage from the office, the firearm used, and statements from witnesses are part of the ongoing investigation. While the death is being treated as a case of suicide at present, officials say further findings will determine if any additional angles need to be explored.
