Agartala, Jul 20: Tripura’s Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar was found hanging in his washroom at the police headquarters here on Monday, Chief Minister Manik Saha said.
Opposition parties CPI(M) and Congress demanded an impartial probe into the circumstances leading to the death of the police officer who served the northeastern state for around 18 years in various positions.
The 1994 batch IPS officer was 60, and is survived by his wife and son who lives in Canada.
Dhankar was due to retire in 11 months. Permanent DGPs have a fixed service tenure of at least two years, irrespective of their age. He was appointed the state police chief last year.
Officials said that Dhankar’s body was handed over to the family after post-mortem examination, and it will be taken to his ancestral house in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic demise of Anurag, IPS, Director General of Police, Tripura, who was found hanging in the washroom of his official chamber today,” the chief minister said in a Facebook post.
He was promptly taken to GBP Hospital where attending doctors, after examination, declared him ‘brought dead’, Saha said.
The chief minister stated, “I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family during this hour of profound grief. May the departed soul rest in peace, and may the family find strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.”
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Jitendra Chaudhury, sought a Special Investigative Team (SIT) under the supervision of the High Court of Tripura to conduct an impartial probe into the incident.
“The DGP was under pressure because of various reasons. We demand the constitution of an SIT under the High Court of Tripura to probe the unfortunate incident by convening a special cabinet meeting,” he said while addressing a rally here.
Dhankar rose from an SDPO to the DGP showing his skill, integrity and dedication toward his responsibilities, he said.
“Dhankar faced many challenges in his career and successfully navigated them. I don’t believe an honest and experienced officer would end his life without a major reason. We lost a good police officer,” the CPI(M) leader said.
Senior Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman expressed deep sorrow over the death of the DGP.
“Mr Anurag Dhankar was among the finest and most efficient officers the state has ever had. This is the first time in the entire nation that a DGP-rank officer was found dead in his office at police headquarters while in uniform. The government must clear the mystery surrounding his death,” he said.
Roy Barman demanded an impartial probe under the supervision of the High Court into the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident.
BJP state president Abhishek Debroy said Dhankar had been discharging his duties with the highest degree of integrity, dedication and honesty.
“We never thought he would go this way. It is sad for all of us. There will be a magisterial-level probe into the incident. The truth will be clarified shortly,” he said.
Dhankar who had served in the UN Mission in Kosovo (2003-04) was also admired by his fellow officers.
“As DGP, Anurag Dhankar sir was very strict in professional work but soft-hearted, as he never harmed subordinate officers. He used to scold us at times but never took any harsh decision without major mistakes,” recalled Bhanupada Chakraborty, a former IPS officer.
