‘I-T Officials Have To Answer’: Brother Of Realtor CJ Roy Speaks On His Death During Raids

Bengaluru-based real estate tycoon Roy Chiriankandath Joseph, popularly known as CJ Roy, reportedly took his own life on Friday afternoon while an Income Tax Department investigation was underway at his premises. The intensive search operation had begun early in the morning and continued throughout the day.

Brother speaks on worries over IT raids

After the incident, Roy’s brother, CJ Babu, who owns WhiteGold, told CNN News18 that CJ Roy was worried about the Income Tax raids. He said he spoke to his brother at 10.40 am the previous day and talked for about 30 minutes about the raids, which had been going on for three days. Babu Roy said his brother had no loans, no threats and no other issues.

“I spoke to him yesterday at 10.40 am. He called me twice and we spoke for about 30 minutes.

He told me about the Income Tax raids, which had been going on for three days, and said he was worried about the investigation. I was not in the country, so he asked me to meet him at 7 pm today to discuss everything, but that did not happen,” said Babu Roy.

He added that Roy had planned to meet him at 7 pm to discuss matters, but that meeting never happened. Babu Roy said he was informed by a staff member who was weeping and told him about the incident. 

He also confirmed that only Income Tax officials were present, and no other agency was involved during the fateful incident. “At that time, only the Income Tax officials were present, no other agency. The assistant commissioner of Income Tax, Mr Krishnaprasad, will have to answer what led to this. I will first meet the family and others, and then I will be in a better position to say if we have any complaints. I am going straight now to meet the family,” Babu Roy added.

Questioning by IT Dept officials

On the fateful day, Roy arrived at his office later in the afternoon and was immediately questioned by officials for around one hour. During the session, investigators asked him to produce specific financial documents to clarify certain records. Roy then requested permission to go to his private chamber to retrieve the paperwork, a request that appeared routine at the time.

Shortly after entering his room, a single gunshot was heard. Reports said Roy used his personal pistol to shoot himself in the chest. Income Tax officials present rushed to help and took him to Narayana Hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.

What police said?

Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said the body was sent to hospital and examined by the SOCO and crime teams. He said the company director had filed a complaint and confirmed that Roy shot himself. Police are investigating which pistol was used and how many rounds were fired.

He said the incident occurred at around 3:15 pm and that officials are speaking to Income Tax officers. He added that raids had been conducted for three days by a Kerala Income Tax team and that police are verifying who was present at the time.

The local police have cordoned off the area and begun a formal investigation into the death. Officials said more information would be shared after the investigation is completed.