‘I-T officials solely responsible for CJ Roy’s death,’ says Bengaluru real estate tycoon’s brother

BENGALURU: The circumstances that led Confident Group owner Roy Chiriankandath Joseph, popularly known as CJ Roy, to take his life are still under investigation, even as his family has blamed income tax officials from Kerala for his death.

Roy's brother, CJ Babu, who owns WhiteGold, told the media that a team of I-T officials from Kerala had been conducting searches in Bengaluru for the past three days. "He shot himself with a pistol. The I-T officials are solely responsible for his death," Babu alleged.




According to him, although Roy's family was based in Dubai, he returned to Bengaluru after being asked by I-T sleuths to be present here. The family is expected to arrive in the city early Saturday.

Roy, 57, who was promoting several upscale real estate projects in Kerala, came under the I-T scanner amid an intensified crackdown on builders. A team from Kerala conducted searches at his premises on Dec 3 and 6 and again on Jan 28.

Babu alleged that additional commissioner of income tax Krishna Prasad, based in Thiruvananthapuram, had subjected Roy to repeated scrutiny despite his claims of full compliance with tax regulations. "Tremendous pressure and harassment by I-T officials resulted in this," he said, adding that Roy had no business stress, outstanding loans or mental health issues.

"He was completely normal and in good spirits. We spoke on Jan 8, my birthday, when he mentioned the pressure from income tax officials," Babu said, adding that Roy remained in regular touch and even called him around 11am Friday, sounding normal and proposing to meet the following evening. "My brother cooperated fully and submitted all documents. Yet, the officials kept returning. He told me several times that the I-T trouble was unbearable. Additional commissioner Krishna Prasad and his team from Kerala must answer what led to this," Babu said.

On whether the family had any plans to file a police complaint, Babu said the matter would be discussed after the family's arrival in Bengaluru, adding that he intended to lodge a complaint against the I-T officials present during the raids.