CJ Roy’s death: SIT records I-T officials’ statements in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A special investigation team (SIT) probing Confident Group chairman CJ Roy's death has recorded statements of income tax officials present at his Langford Town office on Jan 30, when he allegedly shot himself with his licensed pistol.An investigator said all I-T personnel present on that day were examined. They told investigators they had not questioned Roy and were on the premises only for final scrutiny of documents seized earlier. "They required Roy's signature and those of some staff members. Their role was limited to verification of records," the officer said.
Police responded cautiously to reports that the I-T team did not interact with Roy at all. "We cannot conclusively say there was no conversation. What's clear is that the officials did not prevent him from carrying out routine activities. His mobile phone and briefcase were not taken into custody, and they were unaware that he was carrying a pistol," the officer added.Investigators described the probe as being at an early stage. Crime scene reconstruction is yet to be conducted and will be carried out in the presence of the complainant, TA Joseph, founding-director and MD of Confident Group. Statements of a few employees were recorded Sunday, another officer said.Summons for questioning have been issued to Joseph, Roy's brother CJ Babu and other associates. Police had planned to record their statements Sunday, but postponed it as the family delayed taking custody of the body after the post-mortem Saturday.The SIT said it had several doubts about Joseph's complaint, particularly regarding the timeline. There are questions about when Roy reached office, his interactions with the I-T officials, the time two men entered the chamber, and when Joseph was asked to step out. Investigators also want to know whether Roy spoke to his mother before the incident, the exact time the door was forced open and why no one reported hearing a gunshot.Some staff members, including security guards, told police that Roy entered his chamber around 2pm, while Joseph mentioned 3pm in his statement. "We will question Joseph and others who were present that day to reconcile these differences," an officer said.Joseph told police he tried to enter the chamber about 10 minutes after being asked to leave but was stopped by security who said they had instructions not to allow anyone in. He returned after another 10 minutes, knocked on the door and, when there was no response, the door was forced open as it was locked from inside."We are told no one heard the gunshot. The chamber has certain features that reduce noise, though it is not fully soundproof. Details cannot be shared at this juncture," the officer said.—-------QuotesMy father was a great man. I am lost for words to explain what happened. I am not really sure what caused it… I don't have many words to say as I am still trying to process what is happeningRohit Roy | CJ Roy's son—------When Roy spoke with me around 10.40am on Jan 30, when I was in Thailand, he asked me when I was returning. I told him I would return the next day at 7pm. He said he needed to talk with me. He did not talk to me specifically about the I-T raids or anything else. He called me two or three times only to ask when I was returning. I got information about his death at 4.08pm. I left Thailand the same dayCJ Babu | Roy's brother—--------An SIT has been formed under the supervision of joint commissioner C Vamsi Krishna and the probe began Saturday itself. Unless we receive the investigation report, I cannot say anythingG Parameshwara | home minister