Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday assured the Assembly that the death of Tripura DGP Anurag Dhankar would be investigated thoroughly and impartially, with the truth established strictly on the basis of evidence and scientific findings.

Speaking in the Assembly over the death of the senior police officer, Saha said the DGP’s body was recovered from the washroom of his chamber at the Police Headquarters at around 11:30 am on July 20. He said the officer had reached his office at around 10:12 pm the previous night and instructed his orderly not to disturb him until 11 am.

According to the Chief Minister, when the DGP did not respond, senior officials entered the chamber and found that the changing room and washroom were locked from inside. The washroom door was subsequently forced open, following which the DGP was found hanging.

He was immediately taken to GB Pant Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at 12:48 pm. An Unnatural Death case was subsequently registered at West Agartala Police Station, with the investigation initially supervised by the West District Superintendent of Police. The Crime Branch and West Agartala Police were also involved in the probe.

Saha said the IGP, Law and Order, is currently overseeing the investigation. He added that investigators have used technological and scientific methods and that the State Forensic Science Laboratory has submitted its report. Evidence and other materials have also been seized for examination.

The Chief Minister said the post-mortem examination recorded the cause of death as hanging and indicated a suicidal nature. However, he stressed that investigators were examining all available evidence, including forensic findings, electronic evidence, bank transactions and documentary records.

“Such a sensitive matter cannot be decided on the basis of assumptions. The actual circumstances and cause of the incident will be established only after a detailed examination of all evidence and reports,” Saha said.

He further assured the Assembly that evidence had also been sent outside the state for additional examination. “Every aspect of the incident will be investigated impartially and all necessary legal measures will be taken to uncover the truth,” he added, while expressing his condolences over the DGP’s death.