Tripura Police Chief Anurag Dhankar Found Dead in Office Amid Calls for Inquiry

DNI SUMMARY — KEY POINTS

• Tripura Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar was discovered unconscious in his office bathroom on Monday morning and was later declared deceased at a hospital.
• Medical personnel at the hospital confirmed that Dhankar arrived without any vital signs despite intensive resuscitation attempts that lasted for nearly forty-eight minutes.
• The sudden death of the high-ranking IPS officer has sent shockwaves through the state administration and prompted an immediate high-level security investigation.
• Opposition leaders, including former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, have formally demanded a judicial probe supervised by a sitting High Court judge to uncover the truth.
• While local authorities have registered a case of unnatural death, officials are awaiting the comprehensive results of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause.

The state of Tripura remains in a state of profound shock following the unexpected death of its Director General of Police, Anurag Dhankar, who was found in his office chamber at the Police Headquarters in Agartala on Monday. Staff members discovered the 1994-batch IPS officer inside the bathroom attached to his workplace after he had been absent for a significant period. Emergency responders rushed him to the Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, but medical professionals were unable to restore his vital signs after nearly an hour of intensive care.

Investigation Into Sudden Passing

The medical team led by senior physician Dr. Pradip Bhowmik worked tirelessly for forty-eight minutes in a desperate effort to revive the state police chief. Despite the application of standard emergency medical protocols, the officer was declared deceased at 12:48 PM after failing to respond to any resuscitation attempts. The hospital administration has transferred the remains to the morgue to facilitate a post-mortem examination, which is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding this incident and address the significant public uncertainty currently surrounding his passing.

Chief Minister Manik Saha immediately visited the hospital and the police headquarters to assess the unfolding situation personally. The visit by the head of the state government, who also oversees the home department, underscores the severity with which the administration is treating this tragic event. Senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary and various cabinet ministers, remained on site throughout the afternoon, maintaining a somber silence while coordinating with the police force to manage the aftermath of the discovery.

Calls for Judicial Inquiry

Political leaders from across the spectrum have arrived at the hospital to pay their final respects to the departed officer. Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Choudhury voiced serious concerns regarding the mystery surrounding the death and subsequently demanded a thorough judicial inquiry. He argued that given the sensitivity and high profile of the position held by the deceased, an investigation overseen by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court is essential to maintain transparency and public trust.

The professional legacy of the police chief is noted for his extensive service record both within the state and on the national stage. A career officer who assumed his latest role in May 2025, Anurag Dhankar brought decades of expertise to his position, including stints with the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Border Security Force. His international experience, which notably included a peacekeeping deployment in Kosovo with the United Nations Mission, established him as a highly capable and respected figure among his peers in the security establishment.

Distinguished Career of Officer

Forensic teams were dispatched to the site of the incident shortly after the discovery to preserve any potential evidence within the office chamber. The police headquarters have been cordoned off to ensure that investigators can perform their duties without interference or contamination of the scene. While preliminary reports have fueled rampant speculation on social media regarding the nature of the death, the government has refrained from making official statements, prioritizing the results of the medico-legal investigation and formal forensic analysis over initial assumptions.

Colleagues and subordinates describe the loss of their leader as a devastating blow to the morale of the local police force. Having served in the region for nearly eighteen years in various capacities, the officer was deeply integrated into the state's law and order infrastructure. His sudden departure leaves a significant vacancy at the top of the police administration during a critical time, and officials are currently focused on managing the internal transition while keeping the focus on the ongoing death investigation.

Awaiting Forensic Examination Results

The upcoming post-mortem report represents a pivotal milestone in the government's efforts to address the widespread confusion and anxiety gripping the regional capital. Family members are expected to arrive in Agartala as the state government navigates the delicate process of managing both the official investigation and the public demand for accountability. Until such time as the results of the forensic audit are made public, the administration continues to treat the case as a sensitive matter requiring a measured and cautious approach to reporting.