Bengaluru Police form SIT to probe Confident Group owner CJ Roy’s death

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh has ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of Confident Group owner CJ Roy, who allegedly shot himself at his office while Income Tax (I-T) officials were present in connection with earlier searches.

The SIT will be headed by Joint Commissioner of Police (West Zone) C. Vamshi Krishna, IPS. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Division) Lokesh Jagalasar, IPS, has been appointed as the Investigating Officer. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division) Akshay Hake, IPS, along with other senior officers from various divisions and special units, will be members of the team.

The SIT has been empowered to induct additional officers and resources as required for the investigation. All concerned officers have been directed to extend full cooperation to ensure a lawful, prompt, and effective probe. According to the order issued by the police commissioner, all aspects of the case will be thoroughly examined, and relevant information will be shared with the public in the coming days.


Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara directed the police to investigate Roy’s death.

Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the Income Tax Department had conducted searches at Roy’s company earlier and was in the process of completing statutory procedures.

"There was a raid in his company in December (last). There is a rule that within 60 days a charge sheet has to be filed in the court. They had to finalise before February 4. Hence, he was summoned," he said.

Parameshwara added that Roy had recently returned from abroad and was cooperating with the authorities.

"Three days ago, he had returned from Dubai. The I-T officials went to his office to record his statement. He too responded to it," Parameshwara said.

“In the meantime, Roy told the officials that he would return in five minutes, but did not come back even after 20 minutes. Later, his suicide came to notice.”

Roy, a real estate tycoon in his late 50s, suffered bullet injuries from his licensed firearm at his office near Richmond Circle in Bengaluru. After a gunshot was heard, staff members rushed to his room and found him lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Income Tax sources said searches at Roy’s premises had begun around two months ago. Meanwhile, Roy’s brother has alleged that he may have taken the extreme step due to pressure from the central agency.

Roy was originally from Kerala.

Sources said preparations are underway for Roy’s last rites at Confident Cascade near Bannerghatta. According to sources, Roy had identified the cremation ground before his death, expressing his wish to be cremated at Confident Cascade.

(With agency inputs)