The ongoing Income Tax (IT) raids, which resulted in Dr CJ Roy’s death while he was conducting his business activities, have generated public discourse and official investigations throughout Karnataka and Kerala. Roy, who lived outside Kerala as a Non-Resident Keralite businessman, operated a large real estate and hospitality company that developed properties in Bengaluru, Kerala and Gulf region countries.
The IT officials initiated their search operations at several Confident Group sites because they suspected undisclosed income and hidden assets. The company took Roy to its Bengaluru office for questioning as part of its procedure.
What Happened at the Bengaluru Office
Police reports and media eyewitness accounts show that Roy met with IT officials before he entered his office and shut the door. He had a gunshot wound, which he sustained from his permitted firearm. The hospital staff declared that he had died when he arrived at the emergency room.
Police have filed an unnatural death case while investigating the incident as an apparent suicide case because they need to rule out all other possibilities according to their investigation process.
Income Tax Allegations Against Confident Group
The IT department initiated its investigation because it suspected that the Confident Group and its affiliates had committed tax evasion and asset accumulation crimes. Officials took control of the site for three days during which they archived all documents and digital materials while studying intricate financial activities. The authorities have not released information about the specific amounts or results of their assessment.
Family Allegations and Official Response
Roy’s family and company executives claim that Roy suffered extreme mental distress because of the raids and their questioning process, while certain officials engaged in harassment against him. The claims remain unverified because they need to go through official investigation processes.
The Karnataka government has ordered a high-level probe which will include a review of IT officials’ conduct. Investigators are using CCTV footage, phone data, forensic evidence and financial records to reconstruct the events which led to Roy’s death.
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