Investigation into DGP Anurag Dhankar's Death Expands Amid Calls for Judicial Oversight

The investigation into the death of Tripura's DGP Anurag Dhankar has intensified with the police expanding their team from three to ten members. This move comes amid increasing demands from opposition parties for a judicial inquiry overseen by the Tripura High Court. The investigation team, led by Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak, includes various officials and is tasked with a comprehensive probe while maintaining confidentiality. Forensic examinations of Dhankar's electronic devices are underway to uncover any relevant information. The circumstances surrounding his death, initially ruled as unnatural, have raised significant public and political concern, prompting calls for transparency and accountability in the investigation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 28, 2026, 15:37 IST

Expansion of Investigation Team

File image of Tripura CM Manik Saha paying his last respects at the secretariat premises to the mortal remains of DGP Dhayankar. (Photo: AT)

Agartala, July 28: The Tripura Police has expanded its investigation team looking into the death of Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar, increasing its size from three to ten members. This decision comes in response to mounting pressure from opposition parties advocating for a judicial inquiry overseen by the Tripura High Court.

Leadership and Composition of the Investigation Team

An order from the Director General of Police confirmed that Superintendent of Police (West Tripura) Namit Pathak will lead the investigation team, which was formed on July 24 following the registration of an unnatural death case at the West Agartala Police Station after Dhankar's passing on July 20.

The newly added members consist of Additional Superintendent of Police Dhruba Nath, Sub-Inspector Subhojit Deb, who is the case's investigating officer, along with personnel from the Cyber Crime Unit and officers from various police stations including Amtali, West Agartala Women, Battala, and Ramnagar, as well as an instructor from the KTD Singh Police Training Academy.

Investigation Protocols and Requirements

The directive mandates the team to carry out a thorough investigation into all facets of the case while ensuring confidentiality. They are also required to provide weekly updates to the Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) for further submission to the Director General of Police.

Additionally, the order empowers the SP (West) to enlist officers from the Crime Branch or any other police unit as needed and to seek technical support from the Cyber Crime Unit during the investigation.

Opposition Demands for Judicial Inquiry

The inclusion of more officials in the investigation team coincides with heightened demands from the opposition for an independent judicial inquiry. A group of nine CPI(M) legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, met with Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu on Monday, presenting a memorandum that requests an inquiry supervised by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court.

In a separate appeal, Congress Working Committee member and MLA Sudip Roy Barman also called on the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court to ensure that the investigation is conducted under judicial oversight.

Forensic Analysis Underway

Meanwhile, officials have reported that forensic examinations of all electronic devices used by Dhankar, including his mobile phone, laptop, and personal computer, have commenced. These devices have been secured for forensic analysis to ascertain if they hold any pertinent information related to the investigation, with the future direction of the probe hinging on the forensic results.

Dhankar, a 1994-batch IPS officer, was discovered deceased in the washroom of his office at the state police headquarters in Agartala on July 20. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. An unnatural death case was subsequently filed under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

Previously, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha stated that the inquiry would be conducted strictly in accordance with legal protocols after initial post-mortem findings suggested death by hanging.