AGARTALA: Tripura DGP Anurag Dhankar , a 1994-batch IPS officer who led the CBI probe into the Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case involving diamantaire Nirav Modi and later headed an SIT that reinvestigated the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was found dead in his office toilet at Agartala police HQ Monday.Govt has ordered a magisterial probe amid demands for a judicial inquiry. Police said circumstances pointed to suicide but declined to confirm the cause of death or say whether any death note had been found.Police sources said Dhankar, 60, remained inside the toilet unusually long, prompting his orderly to raise an alarm. The door, locked from inside, was broken open. He was taken to Agartala govt medical college and hospital around noon. Dr Pradip Bhowmik said Dhankar was brought to the hospital with no signs of life. “He was dead. There was no scope for any treatment,” he said. Hospital sources said doctors nevertheless attempted resuscitation for nearly 48 minutes before declaring him dead.Tripura oppn seeks judicial probe into DGP’s deathTripura CM Manik Saha rushed to police headquarters after being informed and later chaired an emergency cabinet meeting. “Investigation has already started and govt will follow whatsoever is required to uncover the truth,” Saha said.The autopsy, forensic tests and inquiry would examine all possible angles, including personal, professional and administrative factors, before drawing conclusions. Tripura govt declared an one-day state mourning Tuesday and appointed additional DGP Goduguluri Srinivasa Rao, a 1999-batch IPS officer, as the acting police chief.Dhankar took charge as Tripura DGP in May 2025 after serving as DGP (Intelligence). Over three decades in service, he served with CBI and BSF between 2005 and 2013 and UN Mission in Kosovo in 2003-04. He is survived by his wife, and a son in Canada.Dhankar held a postgraduate degree in food technology from CFTRI, Mysuru, a master’s degree in police management from Osmania University and a PG diploma in cybercrime from NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad.Tripura BJP president Abhishek Debroy said investigators would examine all aspects of the case, including reports of an alleged suicide note.Opposition parties demanded an independent judicial inquiry. Leader of opposition Jitendra Chaudhury urged govt to preserve the body until Dhankar’s son arrived from Canada. “He rose from SDPO to DGP, showing his skill, integrity and dedication toward his responsibilities. He faced many challenges in his career…I don’t believe an honest and experienced officer would end his life without a major reason,” Chaudhury said.Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman sought an HCsupervised investigation, and claimed a police officer had told him Dhankar was allegedly under mental stress before his death.
