Karnataka To Order High-Level Probe Into CJ Roy’s Death After DK Shivakumar Hints At Harassment

Last Updated:January 31, 2026, 11:06 IST

Highlighting a pattern of pressure on the business community, the deputy CM said such harassment is unacceptable and noted that the public is well aware of similar tragic instances

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. (Image: News18)

The Karnataka government has decided to order a high-level investigation into the suicide of CJ Roy, the chairman of Confident Group and Honorary Consul of Slovakia. Speaking to the media in Kanakapura on Friday, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar emphasised that the state is committed to uncovering the absolute truth behind the incident and will place all relevant facts before the public. Expressing his condolences, Shivakumar noted that Roy was a successful businessman whose life ended in a manner that raises significant concerns, prompting the government to step in and ensure a thorough inquiry.

Shivakumar specifically pointed toward the circumstances involving the income tax department, noting that the state had received information about an investigative team from Kerala being involved in the process. “We will order a high-level probe. After the investigation, everything will come out," he said, adding that even people in Delhi have requested a detailed report on the matter. He shared preliminary information suggesting that Roy had requested five minutes of private time during an intense questioning session before taking the extreme step.

Highlighting a pattern of pressure on the business community, the deputy chief minister remarked that such harassment is unacceptable and noted that the public is well aware of similar tragic instances that have occurred in the past.

Condemning the alleged interrogation tactics, he asserted that while he wished to avoid turning the tragedy into a political debate, the government could not ignore the underlying issues. “Such harassment is not correct, we condemn it. You all know what has happened in the past," he said, echoing sentiments shared by the Youth Congress, which has called the event a consequence of “tax terrorism".

The incident has drawn immediate and sombre comparisons to the death of Cafe Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha, with political leaders and trade bodies expressing growing alarm over the treatment of home-grown entrepreneurs by central agencies.

On the investigative front, the Ashoknagar police have officially registered a case under Section 174(c) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), treating the incident as a suspicious death.

The timeline established by investigators shows that Roy had returned from Dubai on January 27, only to be met by Income Tax officials at his Bengaluru office the following morning. For three consecutive days, officials had been conducting a rigorous search and document verification process at the Confident Group headquarters. It was during the final stages of this process on Thursday afternoon that Roy reportedly entered his chamber and ended his life using a licensed firearm. The Income Tax Department had reportedly carried out the first raid on CJ Roy in December last year.

The investigation is now focusing on the specific interactions that took place during the three-day tax raid. Because Roy served as the Honorary Consul of Slovakia and operated the consulate out of the same building, the police are navigating the case with additional procedural care. While the Income Tax department was in the process of seizing documents and conducting a “Post-Operation" (PO) procedure, the sudden nature of the suicide has left many questions unanswered. Authorities are currently analysing the evidence collected from the scene to determine the exact catalyst for the act, as the high-level probe ordered by the state government begins its work to provide clarity to the grieving family and the business community.

If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)

News politics Karnataka To Order High-Level Probe Into CJ Roy’s Death After DK Shivakumar Hints At Harassment

Read More