Bengaluru: CJ Roy was a talented entrepreneur who, through self-effort and hard work, built a business empire that amazed everyone.

He quit a well-paid job with a company car and other perks, invested his own savings, and turned to business. He worked up to 18 hours a day and monitored every aspect of the company affairs online.

A mechanical engineering graduate, Roy began his career as a planning manager at HP, a leading IT company in Bengaluru. He was son of Thrissur native Joseph Chiriyankandath, who ran a bakery business, and Thresya of Chakkaramakkil. Brought up in Bengaluru, Roy resigned from his job in 1997 with the desire to do something on his own. He focused on real estate, purchasing land in Sarjapur, Bengaluru, at a rate of ₹3 lakh per acre. That is where his success began.

He first launched a residential apartment project. It was a time when Bengaluru was rapidly transforming into an IT hub. The project became a major success, leading to the formation of the Confident Group, which went on to become one of Karnataka’s largest real estate developers. Across various cities in Kerala, more than a thousand apartments of the Confident Group were built.

He always wore a cheerful smile, had a pleasant demeanor, and a personality that attracted everyone. Recalling his early days, Roy later mentioned how his wife Lini Roy had encouraged him when he returned home after quitting his job, saying, “Be confident, you can do it.”

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In 1998, he earned a doctorate in business management from Paris. He also served as the Honorary Consul for Slovakia, a European Union member country, in Karnataka and Kerala.

Allegation of mental harassment by IT officials

Roy’s brother, CJ Babu, alleged that mental harassment by Income Tax officials led to the suicide. The department had previously conducted raids and taken action against the Confident Group, and the company was pursuing legal remedies in connection with these cases.

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Roy drew significant attention in the business world. He strengthened the brand by becoming a major sponsor of television reality shows, including Malayalam programs. The company completed numerous real estate projects in Bengaluru, Kerala, and the UAE. Currently, construction of more than 150 apartment complexes is underway under the group. He also produced over ten films in Malayalam and Kannada.

He is survived by wife Lini Roy, children Rohith and Ria. Upon learning his death, they departed from Dubai and reached Bengaluru.