Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, has addressed a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, requesting a judicial investigation into the unnatural demise of C.J. Roy during a search operation conducted by the Income Tax department on January 30.

In his letter, CM Vijayan expressed the profound sorrow shared by the people of Kerala regarding Roy's untimely death. The business sector and civil community are in disbelief over this incident. He emphasized that this unfortunate event tarnishes the reputation of the country’s tax administration, which aims for a Non-intrusive Usage of Data to Guide and Enable (NUDGE). While recognizing that intrusive actions may sometimes be necessary, he insisted on the importance of exercising extreme caution during such operations.

C.J. Roy, the Founder and Chairman of the Confident Group, reportedly took his own life at his office in Bengaluru on January 30. He was well-known in the real estate sector for his luxurious lifestyle and high-profile business dealings.

In his correspondence, CM Vijayan raised critical questions about the circumstances surrounding Roy's death.

“Reports suggest that a lack of necessary diligence may have led to the tragic loss of an entrepreneur's life. While it may be premature to assess the merit of the Income Tax department's search and seizure actions, certain prudent conclusions can be drawn from publicly available information. It is astonishing that an individual undergoing a search operation could access a loaded firearm and take such drastic action amidst the proceedings,” he stated.

“It is essential that the rights of individuals subject to search operations are safeguarded by officials, while the searched individual must also adhere to specific responsibilities. Standard procedures mandate that the individual under investigation should be present during the search, accompanied by at least two independent witnesses.”

The CM noted that if media reports are accurate, Roy was able to access a licensed firearm and take his life while the search was ongoing elsewhere in the office.

“If true, this represents a grave oversight. The implication is that neglecting fundamental protocols during the search may have contributed to this tragic outcome. The grievances of the grieving family must also be acknowledged. Roy's brother voiced serious concerns about the treatment received from officials, stating, 'My brother fully cooperated and provided all necessary documents. Yet, officials continued to pressure him. He expressed that the tax issues were unbearable...'”

CM Vijayan remarked that the Income Tax department would also have its perspective. “It is vital that the complete truth behind this incident emerges through an unbiased examination of the legal and administrative practices, evaluating how such a tragedy could have been avoided with appropriate diligence, as well as considering the statements from Roy's immediate family.”

Emphasizing the necessity of an inquiry, CM Vijayan stated, “An impartial investigation into this matter is crucial to prevent similar tragic occurrences in the future. I firmly believe that the Government of India should initiate a judicial inquiry into this incident, ideally led by someone with judicial experience in a constitutional court.”

The CM urged that the concerns of Roy's family should be approached with empathy, and they have the right to uncover the facts through a fair investigation.

“While the Karnataka Police are conducting their investigation, a judicial inquiry is necessary to explore the broader implications mentioned earlier. It is insufficient to merely request official reports and affirm that legal protocols were followed. A judicial inquiry, which can investigate the entire situation, will be deemed credible by the wider society. Therefore, the Government of India should not hesitate to order a judicial inquiry promptly and ensure a comprehensive report is produced in a timely manner,” he added.

He acknowledged that tax evasion is a serious concern that must be addressed; however, no actions leading to the loss of a valuable life, as occurred in Roy's case, can be justified in a civilized democratic society.

“It is often stated that taxation is the price we pay for civilization, and thus there must be zero tolerance for tax evasion. While I fully support this perspective, it is equally crucial to recognize that uncivilized actions in the name of tax compliance must also be met with zero tolerance. I urge the Union Finance Minister to take the necessary steps to establish a judicial inquiry by appointing a Commission of Inquiry led by an individual with experience in a constitutional court,” concluded CM Vijayan.