Realtor 'suicide': K'taka HM directs police to investigate circumstances that led to incident
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said the police have been directed to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the "suicide" of Confident Group chairperson C J Roy, who allegedly shot himself dead his office here when I-T officials were present in connection with earlier searches.
Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the Income Tax Department had earlier conducted searches at Roy's company and were in the process of completing statutory procedures.
"There was a raid in his company in December (last). There is a rule that within 60 days a charge sheet has to be filed in the court. They had to finalise before February 4. Hence, he was summoned," he said.
Roy had recently returned from abroad and was cooperating with the authorities, he added.
"Three days ago, he had returned from Dubai. The I-T officials went to his office to record his statement. He too responded to it," Parameshwara said.
"In the meantime, Roy told the officials that he would be back in five minutes but he did not return even after 20 minutes. Then his suicide came to the notice."
Parameshwara said he has ordered a police inquiry into the incident.
"I have directed police officials to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the incident. Things will be clear only after the report comes out," he said.
He added that Roy's family has linked the incident to the I-T action. "Roy's brother has also given a statement that this incident happened due to I-T raids. Our police officers haven't looked into it from that aspect," he said.
When asked whether there was any political angle to the increasing Income Tax raids, the HM declined to speculate.
"As the Home Minister I would not say anything more than it," he said.
Clarifying on the scope of the probe, Parameshwara said, "Police will only investigate the suicide case. If something else emerges then that will also be investigated."
Real estate tycoon Roy, who was in his late 50s, suffered bullet injuries from his licensed firearm at his office near Richmond Circle in the city.
Soon after a gunshot was heard, staff members rushed to his room and found him lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
I-T sources said searches on Roy's premises had begun about two months ago.
Roy's brother has alleged that he might have taken the extreme step due to pressure from the central agency.
Roy was originally from Kerala.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Kannada-medium student tops MA English at Davangere University; Hamali’s son tops Physic
A Kannada-medium student emerging as the university topper in English studies stood out at the 13th annual convocation of Davangere University held on Friday at its Shivagangotri campus in Tholahunase.
Vijayashri BM, a resident of Basavanalu village in Davangere taluk, secured the first rank in MA English, despite having completed her schooling and undergraduate education entirely in Kannada medium. Speaking after the convocation, she said shifting to English at the postgraduate level was challenging in the beginning, but sustained effort, discipline and regular practice helped her overcome the difficulty.
Vijayashri said she chose English believing that the language opens up wider career opportunities. She credited her father, Basavaraju, a retired Mathematics teacher, for motivating her to pursue higher studies. Currently working at a private school in Davangere, she said she hopes to continue her career in teaching.
The convocation also saw Physics student Puttaraja emerging as a top achiever. He secured the first rank in Physics and received three gold medals. According to a Deccan Herald report, Puttaraja said his academic decisions were influenced by his family’s financial situation. His father, Rudresh Veerappa Mattikatti, works as a hamali in Davangere and earns about ₹10,000 a month.
Puttaraja said scholarships offered by the Department of Science and Technology for science toppers made it possible for him to continue higher studies. He said first-rank holders receive a monthly scholarship of ₹32,000 for the first two years, which later increases to ₹37,000, easing the financial burden on their families.
He completed his undergraduate studies in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at a government first-grade college in Davangere and is now preparing to pursue a PhD in semiconductor nanocrystals under Professor M N Kalasad. He has appeared for the National Eligibility Test and is awaiting results, besides preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering scheduled for February 7. He said he aspires to work with organisations such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation or the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Puttaraja also noted that dedication and personal conduct matter more than economic background in earning the support of teachers and mentors.
