Confident Group Chairman CJ Roy Dies Amid Tax Raid

On January 30, 2026, the business world was rocked by the tragic news that Dr. CJ Roy, the founder and chairman of the Confident Group, died by suicide at his office in Bengaluru. According to police statements reported by multiple outlets, Roy was found with a gunshot wound at his office near Richmond Circle, central Bengaluru. Despite being rushed to Narayana Hospital in HSR Layout, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The incident unfolded on a day already fraught with tension for Roy and his company. Earlier that afternoon, officials from the Income Tax Department had arrived at the Confident Group’s premises to conduct a raid on suspicion of tax fraud. Sources cited by The New Indian Express and other agencies confirm that Roy was subjected to questioning by tax authorities for about an hour. At one point, he was asked to retrieve documents from another room. It was there, according to police, that he allegedly shot himself using his licensed firearm. Employees, alarmed by the sound of a gunshot, rushed to his cabin and found him gravely injured.

Police officials, including Bengaluru’s police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, quickly arrived at the scene to begin their investigation. Forensic teams were called in to examine the office, and post-mortem procedures were initiated to determine the exact cause of death. As of Friday evening, Roy’s body remained at Narayana Hospital in Anekal, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, while authorities continued to interview family members, colleagues, and associates to piece together the circumstances leading up to the tragedy. Police have registered the case as a suicide, though they have not disclosed whether a note was found.

The shockwaves from Roy’s death reverberated through business circles and beyond. Confident Group, which Roy founded in 2005, has grown into one of India’s best-known real estate and infrastructure developers, with a significant footprint in Bengaluru, Kerala, and international markets such as Dubai and the Middle East. Over the past two decades, the company delivered more than 165 projects, developed over 43 million square feet of real estate, and served upwards of 15,000 customers, according to the company’s own data. Its portfolio spans residential apartments, villas, commercial complexes, mixed-use developments, and, more recently, ventures into hospitality, education, aviation, entertainment, and healthcare.

Roy, who was 57 at the time of his death, was widely regarded as a hands-on entrepreneur and a central force behind the Confident Group’s growth. Born in Kerala and raised in Bengaluru, he was highly educated, having studied in France and Switzerland and holding a PhD. Early in his career, Roy worked with global technology giant Hewlett-Packard, before making the leap into real estate in 2006—a move that would see him build a business empire spanning India, the UAE, and the US.

His business philosophy was marked by ambition and innovation. The Confident Group was known for following a rare zero-debt business model in the real estate sector, a feat that set it apart from many of its competitors. Roy himself often spoke about the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship, sharing his experiences with young audiences through public forums and reality television appearances. He was also highly active on social media, where he cultivated an image of accessibility and inspiration.

But Roy’s influence extended far beyond bricks and mortar. He was a major sponsor of popular reality TV shows, including Idea Star Singer and Bigg Boss Kannada and Malayalam, helping the Confident Group become a household name across South India. His philanthropic approach to television branding was legendary—he was known for gifting luxury apartments, cash prizes, and high-value rewards to winners and contestants, often appearing personally on set to motivate participants. In one notable instance, he famously gifted an apartment to a reality show contestant, underscoring his “larger-than-life” generosity.

Roy’s philanthropic efforts were not limited to the entertainment world. He was committed to supporting underprivileged students, funding heart surgeries for those in need, and rebuilding homes in Kerala after devastating floods. These acts earned him admiration across business and civic circles. He also served as the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic and was actively involved in various social welfare initiatives.

Despite his public persona and professional achievements, Roy faced mounting pressures in the months leading up to his death. The real estate sector in India has been grappling with rising input costs, tightening financing conditions, and increasingly complex regulatory requirements. Industry observers, quoted by The New Indian Express, note that such stresses—especially when combined with personal or legal challenges—can take a heavy toll on leaders at the helm of large organizations.

The Income Tax Department’s scrutiny of Confident Group was not new. The company had been involved in tax disputes before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and the Karnataka High Court, with ongoing assessment-related matters. On the day of Roy’s death, the pressure from another round of questioning appears to have been a critical factor, although police have emphasized that the full picture will only emerge after a thorough investigation.

Roy’s death has left Confident Group facing immediate questions about leadership continuity and operational stability. Company sources told reporters that internal discussions are underway to reassure customers, lenders, and partners, with ongoing projects expected to continue as scheduled. However, a formal review of the group’s management structure is likely in the coming days. Employees and business associates, stunned by the sudden loss of their leader, have expressed deep grief and uncertainty about the future.

The incident has also sparked renewed calls for greater awareness and support mechanisms for mental health, particularly for entrepreneurs and senior executives facing high-stakes pressures. Mental health professionals and civic groups have stressed the importance of timely intervention, open conversations, and access to counseling services as key tools in preventing such tragedies. Assistance for those experiencing suicidal thoughts is available through helplines such as 104 and 044-24640050, as well as the iCALL Mental Helpline at 9152987821.

As the investigation continues, friends, family, and colleagues are left mourning a man whose life was marked by extraordinary ambition, generosity, and complexity. CJ Roy’s legacy—spanning business, philanthropy, and personal triumphs—will be remembered, even as the unanswered questions surrounding his death linger in the minds of many.