Bengaluru

Bengaluru Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of prominent realtor C J Roy, who allegedly shot himself during an Income Tax department search at his office in the city, officials said on Saturday.

According to a statement issued by the Bengaluru City Police, Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh ordered the formation of the SIT to ensure a detailed and impartial investigation into the incident. The probe has now been formally transferred to the special team.

The SIT will be led by Joint Commissioner of Police (West Zone) C Vamshi Krishna. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Division) Lokesh Jagalasar has been appointed as the investigating officer. Central Division DCP Akshay Hake and several senior officers from different divisions and specialised units will also be part of the team.

Police said the SIT has been authorised to induct additional officers and deploy resources as required during the course of the investigation. All police personnel have been instructed to extend full cooperation to facilitate a swift and lawful inquiry.

Authorities said every aspect related to the incident will be examined, and updates will be shared with the public as and when appropriate.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara told PTI that it would be premature to draw conclusions at this stage. “We will have to wait for the findings. Only after that can we understand what factors may have driven him to take such a step,” he said.

Roy, a real estate businessman in his late 50s, sustained bullet injuries from his licensed firearm at his office near Richmond Circle. After staff members heard a gunshot, they rushed to his cabin and found him critically injured. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Income Tax sources said searches at Roy’s premises had begun nearly two months ago. His brother has alleged that pressure from the central agency may have contributed to the incident.

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Originally from Kerala, Roy also served as the honorary consul of the Slovak Republic, police officials said.