The 1994-batch IPS officer, who took over as Tripura’s police chief in 2025, was rushed to GB Hospital after being found with a gunshot injury but was declared brought dead. No suicide note has been officially confirmed.
BY PC Bureau
July 20, 2026: Tripura’s top police officer, Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar, was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside his office at the state Police Headquarters in Agartala on Monday, triggering shock and disbelief across the state’s administrative and security establishment.
Preliminary findings suggest that the 1994-batch IPS officer may have died by suicide after allegedly shooting himself with his service weapon, although investigators have said the exact cause and circumstances of his death will be established only after a detailed probe.
Dhankar was discovered inside his office during the morning hours after officials became concerned over his lack of response. He was rushed to the Govind Ballabh Pant (GB) Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Senior police officers, forensic experts and investigators immediately reached the Police Headquarters, cordoned off the area and began examining the scene.
Authorities have recovered the officer’s service pistol, which is expected to be sent for forensic examination. Officials have not confirmed the recovery of any suicide note, and police have maintained that all possible angles are being investigated before arriving at any conclusion.
The sudden death of the state’s police chief has sent shockwaves through Tripura, with police personnel, bureaucrats and political leaders struggling to come to terms with the loss of one of the state’s most experienced officers. The state government is expected to order a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
A 1994-batch IPS officer of the Tripura cadre, Dhankar took over as Director General of Police in May 2025 after succeeding Amitabh Ranjan. Before assuming the top post, he had served as Director General of Police (Intelligence), where he was credited with strengthening the state’s intelligence network and security coordination.
Widely respected for his professionalism and investigative acumen, Dhankar’s policing career spanned more than three decades and included several key assignments in Tripura. Between 1995 and 2003, he served as Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Longtharai Valley, Superintendent of Police of the undivided West and South Tripura districts, SP (Special Branch), and Assistant Inspector General of Police (Headquarters).
His reputation, however, extended well beyond the state. On central deputation, he joined the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), where he steadily rose through the ranks to become Additional Director. During his tenure, he handled several sensitive and high-profile investigations, including the probe into fugitive diamond trader Nirav Modi in connection with the multi-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case.
Dhankar also held senior positions in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as Inspector General (Personnel) and worked with the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D). He later headed the Special Investigation Team constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, an assignment that reflected the confidence reposed in his investigative capabilities.
His distinguished career also included an international assignment with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo during 2003-04, where he gained experience in post-conflict policing and international peacekeeping operations.
Apart from his policing credentials, Dhankar was known for his academic achievements. He held a postgraduate degree in Food Technology from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, a Master’s degree in Police Management from Osmania University, a postgraduate diploma in Cyber Crimes from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and was a Certified Fraud Examiner recognised by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), USA.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
During his tenure as DGP, Tripura registered improvements in several law-and-order parameters. Official crime statistics reflected a decline in overall crime, including serious offences such as murder, while conviction rates also improved. Colleagues credited him with modernising policing practices, strengthening intelligence-based operations and focusing on technology-driven investigations.
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News of Dhankar’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from across the country. Senior police officers, serving and retired civil servants, and political leaders expressed disbelief over the tragedy, remembering him as a quiet, disciplined and highly competent officer who commanded immense respect within the force.
Chief Minister Manik Saha is expected to pay tribute to the late officer, while the state government is likely to announce official funeral arrangements after the completion of legal formalities.
Police have appealed to the public to avoid speculation while the investigation is underway and requested privacy for Dhankar’s family during this period of mourning.
The circumstances surrounding the death of a serving Director General of Police have made the incident one of the most extraordinary and tragic episodes in Tripura’s policing history. Investigators are expected to rely on forensic findings, post-mortem results and other evidence before arriving at any definitive conclusion.
