Bengaluru Realtor CJ Roy Challenged IT Raids, Then Withdrew Petition Abruptly Before Death

Days after real estate businessman CJ Roy was found dead in his Bengaluru office, investigators are examining a brief but significant legal battle he mounted against the Income Tax Department shortly before his death. As a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probes Roy’s suicide on January 30, 2026, focus has shifted to his decision to abruptly withdraw a petition challenging tax raids at his premises.

CJ Roy, chairman of the Confident Group, had approached the Karnataka High Court in December 2025 following extensive income tax searches at his Bengaluru offices. In a detailed petition, he questioned both the jurisdiction and legality of the raids, alleging serious procedural violations by tax authorities. However, the legal challenge was withdrawn within 48 hours, before the court could hear the matter on its merits.

According to the petition accessed by NDTV, Roy argued that the searches were unauthorized, as they were initiated by income tax officials based in Kochi, Kerala, despite his core business entities being assessed and located in Bengaluru. He also objected to the use of what he described as a “single omnibus warrant” to search multiple distinct legal entities, claiming this breached established safeguards.

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The plea further alleged that non-local witnesses were present during the search process and that certain premises were sealed for an unduly long period. Roy sought a declaration that the search was legally invalid and asked the court to quash all subsequent proceedings arising from the raids.

When the matter first came up for hearing on December 16, income tax authorities requested additional time, informing the court that Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamat would represent the department on December 18. The High Court declined to grant interim relief at that stage, agreeing to hear the matter later.

Before the court could consider the substantive issues or rule on the jurisdictional objections, Roy withdrew the petition on December 18 without placing reasons on record. With the SIT now examining whether Roy was under undue pressure, the sudden withdrawal of his legal challenge has raised fresh questions, leaving a critical gap in understanding the events leading up to his death.

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