Ten-Member Police Investigation Team Formed to Probe DGP Anurag's Mysterious Death, Opposition Raises Questions

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 28, 2026

The Tripura Police have significantly expanded the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the mysterious death of DGP Anurag Dhankar, IPS increasing its strength from three to ten members following directions from the In-Charge Director General of Police (DGP). The move comes amid growing public and political scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to police sources, West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak, IPS has been entrusted with leading the investigation. Initially, a three-member team had been constituted, but the In-Charge DGP GS Rao, IPS later directed that the team be enlarged to ensure a more comprehensive and professional inquiry. The expanded team now comprises senior police officers from different branches and police stations, including Additional SPs, Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs), three police stations officers-in-charge (OCs) of Agartala, and crime investigation personnel.

The newly constituted investigation team includes:

SP Namit Pathak (Team Leader)

Additional SP (Rural) Dhruva Nath

Additional SP (Crime) Sourav Deb

SDPO Kalyan Debbarma

OC Rana Chatterjee (Amtali Police Station)

OC Shibuli Das (Women Police Station)

OC Shubhajit Deb (Battala Outpost)

OC Shubendu Das (Ramnagar Outpost)

SI Chinmoy Bhowmik

Police Training Academy Inspector Tapan Saha.

The investigation team has reportedly been instructed to work in close coordination, maintain complete impartiality, and ensure strict confidentiality throughout the inquiry. Team members have also been directed to submit daily progress reports to the Superintendent of Police, who, in turn, will brief the Director General of Police every Saturday.

The death of Anurag, a 1994-batch IPS officer, has triggered widespread debate across the state. His body was recovered on July 20 from a toilet attached to his office chamber at the Agartala Police Headquarters. Seven days after the incident, police have not yet issued any official statement explaining the cause of death, further fuelling speculation and public concern.

The opposition CPI(M) and the Congress have demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident, alleging that several unanswered questions remain. The CPIM and Congress leaders has also staged protests and submitted memoranda seeking an independent investigation to Governor. CPIM leaders have argued that the absence of an official explanation has intensified doubts surrounding the case.

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