Congress will make Island skin show an election issue in Udupi: Poojary

February 8, 2012

Udupi, February 8: Senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary has said that his party would make the skin show and the flow of liquour and drug at the recently concluded 'Sprink Zouk" festival at the St. Mary's island an issue in the coming by-election to the Udupi-Chikmagalur Loksabaha constituency.

Speaking at a press conferene here on Tuesday, Mr. Poojary also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda for being unable to stop the misdeeds at the island in the name of tourism promotion.

"It was shocking that Mr. Gowda and local MLA Raghupathy Bhat were defending the obscenities after the video clips of the festival was telecast on television channels. "Everyone is agitated over the developments. Mr. Gowda should step down," Mr. Poojary said.

He also questioned the logic of the district administratioin to allow the tourists to say at the beach overnight when nobody is allowed to stay there after 6 pm. "What was the need to give special permission to the festival where drugs and liqour flowed freely," he said.

He also hit out at the deputy commissioner Dr. M.T. Reju for allowing the illegal activities at the island. Taking offence to the Chief Minister's statement defending the revelry by the tourists at the island, Mr. Poojary said: "You (Gowda) cannot fool the people by such misleading statements."

He also asked to know who has benefited from the festival which has fetched only Rs. 5 lakh for the district administration.

He also took umbrage at the so called moral police of the saffron brigade and said the BJP was gearing up for election by raking up emotional issues. "Prabhakar Bhat's speech at Uppinangady and the flag hoisting incident at Sindagi shows that the BJP is now on poll mode."

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From Dubai boom to Bengaluru backlash: Inside CJ Roy’s journey

News Network

January 31,2026

Bengaluru: The shooting incident involving CJ Roy, founder of the Confident Group, has once again put the spotlight on a businessman whose life has swung between flamboyant global success and persistent controversy at home.

Though Roy’s business interests extended across continents, his roots lay firmly in Karnataka. An alumnus of Christ School in Bengaluru, he later moved to Tumakuru to pursue an engineering degree. Those familiar with his early years describe him as intensely ambitious, beginning his career as a salesman at a small electronics firm dealing in computers.

Roy’s entry into large-scale real estate came through the Crystal Group, where he worked closely with Latha Namboothiri and rose from manager to director. However, the launch of the Confident Group in 2005 was clouded by industry speculation. Insiders speak of a fallout involving alleged “benami” properties and claims of deception that ultimately led to his independent venture—an episode Roy spent years trying to distance himself from, according to associates.

A tale of two cities

Roy’s professional trajectory diverged sharply across geographies.

In Dubai, he built a reputation as a bold and efficient developer, completing massive luxury residential projects in record time—some reportedly within 11 months. His rapid project delivery and lavish lifestyle in the Emirates earned him admiration and visibility in the real estate sector.

In Bengaluru, however, his image remained far more fractured. Sources say Roy stayed away from the city for several years amid disputes over unpaid dues to vendors and suppliers. Several projects were allegedly stalled, with accusations of unfulfilled commitments to cement and steel suppliers continuing to follow him.

Roy’s return to Bengaluru’s business and social circles began around 2018, marked by a conscious attempt at rebranding. His appointment as Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic added diplomatic legitimacy, which he complemented with visible CSR initiatives, including ambulance donations and high-profile charity events.

Heavy police presence in Langford Town

Following the incident, police personnel from the Central division were deployed outside the Confident Group building in Langford Town, which also houses the Slovak Honorary Consulate in Bengaluru.

The otherwise busy premises near Hosur Road wore a deserted look on Friday, reflecting the shock and uncertainty that followed the tragedy.

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