The sudden death of CJ Roy, founder and chairman of Confident Group, has sent shockwaves across Bengaluru’s real estate sector and the wider business community. The 57-year-old businessman died by suicide on Friday at his office in Bengaluru, while officials from the Income Tax Department were reportedly conducting searches and questioning him.
As investigations continue, the incident has reignited a larger conversation around the mental pressure faced by entrepreneurs during prolonged financial and legal scrutiny.
What Happened at the Confident Group Office
According to police officials, Income Tax officers from Kerala had been questioning CJ Roy for nearly three days at the Confident Group’s Bengaluru premises on Langford Road. On Friday afternoon, around 3:15 pm, Roy briefly stepped away from questioning and went to the consulate office located on the first floor of the Confident Pentagon building.
Moments later, a gunshot was heard. Staff members rushed inside and found Roy lying in a pool of blood after he allegedly shot himself with a licensed pistol. He was immediately rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh confirmed that an unnatural death case has been registered and that all aspects, including the role of questioning and circumstances leading to the incident, are under investigation.
Family Alleges Harassment and Extreme Pressure
Roy’s elder brother, CJ Babu, has openly alleged that sustained pressure from Income Tax officials pushed his brother to take the extreme step. Speaking to the media, he said Roy had been under intense mental stress due to repeated IT raids and questioning over the past several weeks.
According to the family, Income Tax teams first raided Roy’s office on December 3 last year and later called him back from Dubai in January for further questioning. Babu stated that Roy had no known personal disputes, threats, or major debts and was deeply disturbed by the ongoing investigation.
Roy’s wife, son, and daughter—who reside in Dubai—were expected to arrive in Bengaluru early Saturday morning.
Police and Forensic Investigation Underway
The Ashok Nagar police station registered the case based on a complaint filed by TA Joseph, Managing Director and founding director of Confident Group. He has sought a thorough probe into whether the circumstances surrounding the Income Tax investigation contributed to Roy’s death.
Ballistic experts are examining the firearm, while forensic teams and scene-of-crime officers have inspected the office premises. The body has been shifted to Bowring Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
Police officials have clarified that the possibility of abetment to suicide will be examined if evidence supports such a claim.
Who Was CJ Roy: A Life of Ambition and Scale
CJ Roy, formally known as Chiriankandath Joseph Roy, was a prominent name in South India’s real estate landscape. A native of Kochi, Kerala, he built Confident Group into a major real estate brand with projects across Kerala, Karnataka, and Dubai.
Beyond real estate, Roy was also known for his ventures in cinema and media. He produced Malayalam films, including the high-budget movie Casanova (2012) starring Mohanlal. Confident Group also served as the title sponsor for multiple seasons of Bigg Boss Malayalam, further cementing Roy’s visibility beyond business circles.
He also held the position of Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic for Karnataka and Kerala—an acknowledgment of his international business and diplomatic engagements.
Income Tax Raids and Allegations
Sources have indicated that Income Tax searches were conducted on companies linked to Roy after suspicions of assets disproportionate to known sources of income. However, officials have not yet publicly disclosed details of the case or the exact findings of the raids.
Police have stated that IT officers involved in the questioning will also be examined as part of the investigation, and that conclusions will only be drawn after reviewing all statements and forensic evidence.
Industry Reaction and Public Response
Confident Group issued an emotional tribute on its official Facebook page, calling Roy its “beloved leader” and stating that his vision and values would continue to guide the organization. The message described his death as a “sudden and irreparable loss.”
The real estate community across Kerala and Karnataka has expressed shock and grief, with many developers and customers highlighting Roy’s larger-than-life personality and aggressive entrepreneurial drive.
A Larger Question: Pressure on Entrepreneurs
While the investigation will determine legal responsibility, CJ Roy’s death has once again brought attention to the psychological toll faced by business leaders during prolonged financial investigations. Entrepreneurs often operate under immense pressure—balancing employees, investors, regulators, and public perception—sometimes with limited emotional support.
Mental health experts note that high-profile corporate scrutiny can amplify stress, isolation, and fear of reputational damage, especially when investigations stretch over weeks or months.
Conclusion
The death of Confident Group chairman CJ Roy is not just a tragic personal loss but a moment of reckoning for India’s corporate ecosystem. As police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his suicide, the case underscores the need for humane processes, mental health awareness, and balanced enforcement during financial probes.
By
