C J Roy, founder and chairman of Kerala-based real estate major Confident Group, allegedly shot himself to death in Bengaluru on Friday while Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax officials were carrying out searches linked to an ongoing financial investigation.
Police said Roy, 57, was found with a gunshot injury at the company’s office in the Ashok Nagar area of Bengaluru. He was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police said preliminary findings suggest that Roy used his licensed firearm during the raid. A case has been registered and investigations are under way to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The enforcement agencies had been carrying out coordinated searches at multiple premises associated with Confident Group over the past few days in connection with a probe into alleged financial irregularities, including suspected disproportionate assets. Officials have not yet disclosed details of any documents or materials seized during the searches.
Roy, a native of Kerala, was widely regarded as a self-made entrepreneur who built Confident Group from modest beginnings into a prominent real estate player in southern India. Founded in Kerala, the group expanded its presence across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects, with a strong footprint in Kerala and Karnataka. Over time, the business diversified into sectors such as education, hospitality, and entertainment.
He was also associated with film production and had backed several high-profile Malayalam films, adding to his public profile beyond the real estate sector.
Roy’s sudden death has sent shock waves through business and real estate circles in Kerala and beyond. Industry peers and associates expressed shock and grief, remembering him as a driven businessman who played a significant role in shaping the regional real estate landscape.
Enforcement agencies have stated that the investigation into the company’s financial affairs will continue.
