Published Jan 31, 2026 | 10:57 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 31, 2026 | 8:54 PM
CJ Roy of Confident Group dies by suicide. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: Roy’s brother Babu claimed that the officials were responsible for his death. He further said Roy was repeatedly questioned by Krishna Prasad despite complying with tax rules. He insisted Roy had no financial or mental health problems and was under extreme pressure due to the raids.
The death of Confident Group owner CJ Roy, in Bengaluru, on Friday, 30 January, is under investigation, even as his family has accused Kerala-based income tax officials, including additional commissioner Krishna Prasad of Thiruvananthapuram, of driving him to suicide.
His brother, CJ Babu of WhiteGold, told the media that I-T teams had been carrying out searches in Bengaluru for three days.
He allegedly shot himself inside the office premises and was rushed to Narayana Hospital in HSR Layout, where he later died.
According to police officials, IT raids were conducted at his office on Friday afternoon on the suspicion of tax fraud.
Income Tax officials questioned Roy for about an hour. He was asked to get some documents from a different room, where Roy allegedly shot himself. He was immediately taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Babu claimed that the officials were responsible for his death. He further said Roy was repeatedly questioned by Krishna Prasad despite complying with tax rules. He insisted Roy had no financial or mental health problems and was under extreme pressure due to the raids.
He sounded normal and even planned to meet me, Babu said, adding that Roy often complained about unbearable harassment by officials.
The family is considering filing a police complaint after reaching Bengaluru, Babu added.
Though his family lives in Dubai, Roy returned to Bengaluru after being summoned by tax officials. The family is expected to reach the city on Saturday, 31 January.
Dr Roy Chiriankandath Joseph, popularly known as CJ Roy, was the founder and chairman of the Confident Group, which has interests in real estate, hospitality and entertainment. Headquartered in Bengaluru he built the company into a multi-state and international enterprise, with operations in several parts of India and abroad, including Dubai and other Middle East countries.
The group has completed over 65 projects and was known for following a rare zero-debt business model in the real estate sector.
CJ Roy also served as the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic and was associated with various social welfare activities.
Confident Projects (India) pvt ltd has been involved in tax disputes with the Income Tax Department before the Income tax appellate tribunal and the Karnataka High Court over assessment-related matters.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
