Tripura DGP Anurag Dhankhar Found Dead at Police Headquarters; Probe Underway as Opposition Seeks Judicial Inquiry
The unexpected death of Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankhar, a senior 1994-batch IPS officer, has sent shockwaves through India’s policing and administrative fraternity. Widely respected for his long and distinguished career spanning nearly three decades, Dhankhar was found unconscious inside the washroom attached to his official chamber at the Tripura Police Headquarters in Agartala on Monday.
The tragic incident has triggered widespread grief across the country, while also raising several questions that investigators are now working to answer. Although preliminary reports have suggested the possibility of suicide, authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of death. Officials have maintained that the final conclusion will depend on the outcome of the post-mortem examination, forensic analysis and the ongoing investigation.
The development has also acquired political significance, with the opposition demanding a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of the state’s highest-ranking police officer.
Found Unconscious Inside His Official Chamber
According to officials, Anurag Dhankhar was discovered unconscious inside the washroom connected to his office chamber at the Police Headquarters in Agartala on Monday morning.
Police personnel immediately shifted him to Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, where doctors initiated emergency medical procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Despite sustained efforts by the medical team, he could not be revived.
Dr. Pradip Bhowmik, Head of the Department of Medicine, stated that the senior IPS officer was brought to the hospital without a detectable pulse or measurable blood pressure. After examining him and attempting life-saving interventions, doctors officially declared him dead at 12:48 pm.
Soon after the incident, police sealed the office premises. Forensic experts were called in to examine the scene and collect evidence as part of the investigation.
Chief Minister Rushes to Police Headquarters
The news prompted an immediate response from the highest levels of the state government.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, accompanied by the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, rushed to the Police Headquarters immediately after receiving information about the incident.
The Chief Minister later accompanied the officer to the hospital and expressed profound grief over the tragic loss.
Calling Dhankhar’s demise deeply shocking, Dr. Saha described him as an outstanding police officer whose contribution to Tripura’s policing and security would be remembered with respect.
Senior officers from the state administration and police department also gathered at the hospital and Police Headquarters following the incident.
Investigation Continues, Cause of Death Yet to Be Officially Confirmed
While early police inputs have reportedly pointed towards suspected suicide, investigators have been careful not to draw any official conclusion at this stage.
Authorities have clarified that the exact cause of death has not yet been officially established.
Investigators are examining all available evidence, including forensic findings, medical reports and other relevant material, before arriving at any conclusion.
Officials have stressed that the post-mortem examination and forensic investigation will play a crucial role in determining the circumstances surrounding the death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no official statement has attributed the death to any specific cause so far.
Opposition Calls for Judicial Inquiry
The incident has also triggered strong political reactions across Tripura.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury questioned the circumstances under which such a senior and experienced police officer could have died and demanded a judicial inquiry headed by the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court.
According to the opposition, an independent judicial investigation would help ensure complete transparency and strengthen public confidence in the inquiry process.
On the other hand, Tripura BJP President Abhishek Debroy appealed for restraint, urging political parties and the public to allow investigators to complete their work without speculation.
He expressed confidence that the investigation would be conducted fairly and that all relevant facts would emerge through the legal process.
Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar also expressed condolences, remembering Anurag Dhankhar as an honest, courageous and highly professional IPS officer who served the state with dedication.
State Cabinet Pays Tribute, Government Declares Mourning
The Tripura Council of Ministers paid tribute to the late police chief during its Cabinet meeting.
Ministers observed a two-minute silence in memory of Anurag Dhankhar and described him as a committed, honest and visionary officer whose contribution to the state’s policing would be remembered for years.
As a mark of respect, the Tripura Government declared July 21 as a day of State Mourning.
During the mourning period:
The National Flag will fly at half-mast on all government buildings across the state.
No official entertainment programmes will be organised.
The decision reflected the high regard in which the senior IPS officer was held within the state administration.
A Career That Spanned Nearly Three Decades
Anurag Dhankhar belonged to the 1994 batch of the Indian Police Service and was allotted the Tripura cadre.
He joined service in the northeastern state in 1995 and steadily rose through the ranks over nearly thirty years.
Beginning his career as a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), he handled a wide range of policing assignments before eventually becoming the state’s Director General of Police in May 2025.
Before taking charge as DGP, he had served as:
Director General of Police (Intelligence)
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) between 2013 and 2016
Throughout his career, Dhankhar earned a reputation as an officer with extensive expertise in intelligence gathering, internal security management, law and order administration and border policing.
His experience made him one of the most respected officers in the Tripura Police.
International Exposure and Central Government Assignments
Dhankhar’s professional journey extended well beyond Tripura.
During 2003-04, he served with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, where he gained valuable international exposure in peacekeeping operations and post-conflict policing.
His career also included important assignments with several premier national institutions.
He served in:
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD)
These postings enabled him to contribute not only to policing operations but also to institutional reforms, police modernisation and national security initiatives.
Handled Some of India’s Most Sensitive Investigations
One of the defining chapters of Dhankhar’s career unfolded during his long tenure with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Over the years, he served in several senior positions within the agency, including:
Superintendent of Police
Deputy Inspector General
Joint Director
Additional Director
During his CBI career, he supervised investigations into several nationally significant cases that attracted widespread public attention.
Among the most prominent were:
The Punjab National Bank fraud case involving fugitive businessman Nirav Modi
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots
These complex investigations established him as an experienced investigator capable of handling cases with national and international ramifications.
A Police Force in Transition
The sudden loss of Anurag Dhankhar has created an emotional moment for the Tripura Police, where he had spent almost his entire professional career.
To ensure continuity in leadership, the Tripura Government has assigned Additional Director General of Police GS Rao, a senior 1999-batch IPS officer, the additional charge of Director General of Police (Head of Police Force) until further orders.
As investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding Dhankhar’s death, the focus remains on conducting a thorough, impartial and evidence-based inquiry.
The final findings are expected to emerge only after the completion of the post-mortem examination, forensic analysis and all other legal procedures. Until then, the exact cause of the senior IPS officer’s death remains under official investigation, while the nation remembers a police leader whose career was marked by decades of service in policing, intelligence, national security and criminal investigation.
