Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Tripura Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar, 60, was found dead on Monday in the washroom of his official chamber at the state police headquarters in Agartala. A preliminary post-mortem examination confirmed death due to hanging. Investigators identified a metal rod fixed to the wall as the suspected anchor point, with a dupatta reportedly recovered from the scene.
Chief Minister Manik Saha confirmed the state has registered a case of unnatural death. The investigation will follow due process. Dhankar, a 1994-batch IPS officer, was appointed DGP in May 2025 and was currently serving an 11-month extension on his tenure. He previously worked for the CBI, leading the Punjab National Bank fraud probe involving Nirav Modi and the reinvestigation of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He also led a UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
Acting DGP G.S. Rao stated that while no Special Investigation Team has been formed, a formal committee of senior officers will examine the case. Forensic teams initially secured the scene before the body was moved to GB Hospital. Authorities are still searching for two of the late officer's mobile phones.
Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu and Chief Minister Saha led state tributes on Tuesday. The government observed one day of mourning. Opposition leaders, including CPI(M) member Jitendra Chowdhury, have demanded a judicial inquiry led by a sitting High Court judge. They cited an alleged erosion of democratic rights and claimed Dhankar appeared distressed in recent months.
Saha rejected the demand for a judicial probe, stating, "We will investigate the case as per law."
Dhankar’s mortal remains were flown to Delhi by air ambulance on Tuesday. A three-member police team, including IG M. Ipper, Traffic SP Kanta Jangir, and Commandant of the 2nd Battalion of the Tripura State Rifles, accompanied the body to his native village in Baraut, Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh. Final rites are scheduled for Wednesday. He is survived by his wife and a son currently living in Canada.
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