Associates of Roy, including film stars under surveillance by central agencies amid mysterious raids 

KOCHI: Reports say that central financial investigation agencies had placed not only C J Roy, the Malayali industrialist, owner of the Confident Group, and a name featured among India’s billionaires under surveillance, but also several film personalities associated with him. The report says that some Malayalam film stars were among those under observation. As part of expanding Confident Group’s business to Dubai, Roy hosted a grand party there last November, and some who attended were reportedly placed under surveillance. It is also reported that Roy’s diary, which was taken into custody by investigators after his death, contained phone numbers and records of transactions involving film personalities. However, there has been no official confirmation of these details.

Meantime, questions remain unanswered as to why officials from the Kochi Income Tax unit conducted the investigation and raids, sidelining Karnataka Income Tax officials, even though all of Confident Group’s corporate establishments were based in Bengaluru. There are allegations that one of the officials involved in the raid pressured Roy. Authorities have so far been unwilling to clarify why the Kochi unit led the raid or whether Roy was subjected to pressure. Some of Roy’s close associates have stated that central agencies, including the income tax department, had been persistently pursuing him.

Officials say the raids were related to fund mobilization for real estate ventures. The first raid by officials from Kerala was on December 28. They came again on January 22 and continued the raid, sealing office rooms. Three days ago, they arrived again and initiated steps to take custody of documents. During this period, Roy was questioned multiple times.

Roy committed suicide by shooting himself at around 3:15 pm at the Confident Group’s corporate office at Rich Mount Circle on Hosur Road near Anekal in Bengaluru yesterday afternoon, while an Income Tax raid was underway. It is reported that he feared being taken into custody once the inspection concluded later that evening. Roy had gone to his chamber to retrieve the key to a sealed locker, where he allegedly shot himself by placing the gun against his chest.