Confident Group chairman C J Roy, 57, was found dead by suicide on 30 January 2026 at his Bengaluru office after a prolonged Income Tax (I‑T) investigation that began with a raid on 3 December 2025.
Background: court petition against tax proceedings
In mid‑December 2025 Roy filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking to halt tax evasion proceedings launched by Kerala I‑T authorities. The petition challenged a 3 December search and seizure at his Bengaluru office as “illegal, arbitrary and without jurisdiction”.
Two days later, on 18 December, the single‑judge bench recorded Roy’s request to withdraw the petition, noting the counsel’s “liberty to challenge subsequently”. No explanation for the withdrawal was offered, and his lawyer Mahesh Choudhary said no fresh plea had been filed.
Income Tax raids and investigations
The I‑T department’s Kochi unit cleared a search on 3 December 2025 at the Confident Group’s headquarters and at the residence of director Joju Kochappan, a close associate of Roy. Seized material included land‑purchase documents, servers, mobiles, laptops and email accounts, and evidence of alleged violations of the I‑T Act and the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) Act.
Sources said the warrant also covered entities owned by Roy’s brother C J Babu and senior MD Joseph T A, though the search of Kochappan’s home, which yielded over ₹38 lakh in cash, was not listed in the warrant.
Roy’s response and legal maneuvers
After the December raid, Roy sent a letter on 8 December declaring the summons illegal and invoking diplomatic immunity as the Honorary Consul of Slovakia, citing the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. He requested a meeting with I‑T officials by 11 December.
Despite withdrawing his court petition, Roy later met I‑T officials, according to reports, while a family friend observed him appearing anxious in early January.
Confident Group’s financial position
Company filings for FY 2023‑24 show standalone revenue of ₹81 crore and net profit of ₹2.31 crore, with consolidated revenue of ₹152 crore and net profit of ₹4.8 crore. The firm also received an unsecured related‑party loan of ₹127 crore in 2024.
Confident Projects – Residential, a Kerala partnership, reported GST filings exceeding ₹200 crore in 2023‑24, giving the I‑T department jurisdiction to probe the Bengaluru‑based group.
Details of the death
On 28 January, I‑T officials reopened sealed premises at the headquarters. Roy arrived at the office on 30 January at 3 pm with MD Joseph T A to give a statement. After indicating a wish to speak to his mother, he locked himself in his cabin.
Security staff broke the door and found Roy with a self‑inflicted gunshot wound from a small 6.35 mm foreign‑made firearm. Post‑mortem analysis ruled out foul play.
SIT investigation findings
The Karnataka police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DIG‑rank Joint Commissioner Vamsi Krishna. The SIT uncovered nine pages of red‑ink notes written by Roy, focusing on the growth of his businesses but not attributing blame for his death.
Police also learned that Roy had a walk‑in psychiatric consultation a few days before the incident. The SIT has interviewed dozens of staff and the MD, but family members have not yet been questioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did C J Roy withdraw his court petition?
The High Court record shows Roy’s counsel requested to withdraw the writ petition on 18 December 2025, but no reasons were provided in the order.
What evidence did the Income Tax raid uncover?
Authorities seized documents related to land purchases, electronic devices and over ₹38 lakh in cash, alleging violations of the I‑T Act and the Black Money Act.
Has the SIT found any foul play in Roy’s death?
According to police and forensic officials, the post‑mortem ruled the death a suicide with no evidence of abetment or external involvement.
What further developments should observers watch as the SIT prepares its preliminary report?
