CJ Roy's demise and losses

We understand the fluctuations of nature, but human life is fundamentally different. Interpretations and definitions of life often miss the mark. The sudden and tragic demise of Malayali businessman CJ Roy, who achieved billionaire status through relentless hard work, is a stark reminder of this reality. His decision to take his own life by shooting himself during an income tax raid at the corporate office of Confident Group in Bengaluru is both shocking and unfortunate. This event underscores the pressing need for a deeper understanding of the pressures individuals face in the pursuit of success.

Roy's life and business ventures exemplify the success of the Confident Group, which has expanded across South India, the UAE, and Singapore. A native of Thrissur, CJ Roy grew up and studied in Bengaluru, France, and Switzerland. In 2006, he started his own company in India after resigning from his position at the Fortune 500 company Hewlett-Packard. Over the past twenty years, the Confident Group has strengthened its presence in various sectors, including infrastructure development, education, hospitality, retail, international trade, entertainment, and golfing. Hard work, determination, and a humanitarian approach have significantly enhanced the assets and reputation of the Confident Group over the past two decades.

CJ Roy decided to expand his charitable activities in conjunction with the growth of his business empire. In 2025, he provided scholarships and opportunities for two hundred children in Kerala and Karnataka to study at the schools of their choice. Unfortunately, he passed away while efforts were underway to expand this initiative to support three hundred children in 2026. Roy was known for handling problems with ease and had a friendly attitude towards everyone, regardless of their status or nationality. He led numerous charitable activities during the floods and throughout the Covid pandemic. The Confident Group also provided housing for about a hundred people affected by the floods.

Roy preferred not to expand his business empire through loans. He only purchased land that was free of legal issues and had proper documentation. He aimed to successfully implement a debt-free business model in the real estate sector. Friends say that Roy had a dislike for legal problems and litigation, and his financial transactions were always transparent.

The taxes paid by citizens are the backbone of the country's economic security. While no one opposes the collection of income tax and other taxes when done fairly, it is important to avoid placing undue mental pressure on those who contribute significant amounts, such as crores of rupees. Frequent inspections may have caused Roy to feel this kind of stress. It is unfortunate that the authorities were unprepared during the raid and did not find or seize the gun that Roy was carrying.

Those in power often claim they will adopt a friendly approach toward industrialists, but they frequently fail to follow through. Roy's death has significantly impacted his family. Incidents like this only discourage those who wish to start new businesses. Inflicting mental distress on industrialists for trivial personal and political reasons will only drive them to relocate their businesses to other states. Authorities should ensure a gentle and humane approach during inspections and raids. This is crucial for preventing such unfortunate incidents from happening again.