Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 1: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said police have been directed to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the alleged suicide of Confident Group chairperson C J Roy, who reportedly shot himself dead at his office in Bengaluru while Income Tax (I-T) officials were present in connection with earlier searches.
Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the I-T Department had conducted searches at Roy’s company in December and was completing statutory procedures.
“There was a raid in his company in December. 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 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,” he said.
According to Parameshwara, Roy told officials he would return in five minutes, but did not come back even after 20 minutes, after which his death came to light.
“I have directed police officials to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the incident. Things will be clear only after the report comes out,” he said.
The Home Minister also noted that Roy’s family has linked the incident to the I-T action.
“Roy's brother has also given a statement that this incident happened due to I-T raids. Our police officers haven't looked into it from that aspect,” he said.
When asked if there was any political angle behind the increasing I-T raids, Parameshwara declined to speculate.
Clarifying the scope of the probe, he said police would investigate the suicide case, and if any other angle emerges, it would also be looked into.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Commerce and Industries Minister M B Patil said economic offences should not be treated like other crimes and must be handled more like civil matters.
“Creating scare by bringing in CBI, ED, this and that, is not proper. Only investigation will reveal what actually had happened,” Patil said.
Roy, a real estate tycoon in his late 50s, suffered bullet injuries from his licensed firearm at his office near Richmond Circle. After a gunshot was heard, staff members rushed in and found him lying in a pool of blood. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
I-T sources said searches on Roy’s premises had begun about two months ago. 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 his last rites at Confident Cascade near Bannerghatta, and that Roy had reportedly expressed a wish to be cremated there.