Former Tripura Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar has renewed his demand for an independent investigation into the death of former Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar. Speaking at a public meeting in Dharmanagar on September 10, Sarkar questioned the state government’s position on the demand for an impartial inquiry and said the circumstances surrounding the death required a proper examination.
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Independent Inquiry Demand Returns to Political Debate
Sarkar’s latest remarks have brought the demand for an independent inquiry back into the political debate in Tripura. The former Chief Minister argued that when questions arise over the death of a former state police chief, investigators should examine all relevant aspects of the case without bias.
The demand follows several weeks of political discussion surrounding Dhankar’s death. The 1994-batch IPS officer was found dead at Tripura Police Headquarters in Agartala on July 20, 2026. His death initially led opposition parties and other groups to call for an investigation independent of the regular police process.
Sarkar had previously joined a CPI(M) delegation that met Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu on July 27. The delegation submitted a memorandum seeking a judicial inquiry under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court.
Therefore, the September 10 statement represents a continuation of an earlier demand rather than a new proposal. The former Chief Minister has consistently argued that judicial oversight would help establish the facts and address questions surrounding the death.
Government Defends Ongoing Investigation
The state government has maintained that an investigation into Dhankar’s death is already underway. Chief Minister Manik Saha told the Tripura Assembly on August 28 that the post-mortem findings indicated that the death was suicidal in nature. He also said an impartial investigation was continuing.
According to the Chief Minister’s statement, the government had constituted a high-level committee headed by West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak. Earlier reports also identified a three-member investigation team under Pathak that was examining the circumstances surrounding the death.
The government has said investigators would examine available evidence rather than rely only on the post-mortem findings. Earlier reporting indicated that forensic material, electronic evidence, bank transactions and documentary records were among the material being examined.
Moreover, the investigation team travelled to New Delhi to meet members of Dhankar’s family and collect additional evidence. Investigators reportedly recorded statements, examined documents and sought to verify information relevant to the case.
The government’s position has therefore been that an investigation is active and that available evidence will be examined through the established process. However, the opposition continues to argue that the circumstances warrant a separate judicial inquiry.
CPI(M) Seeks High Court-Monitored Probe
The CPI(M)’s demand has focused specifically on an inquiry supervised by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court. The party has argued that judicial oversight would provide an additional layer of independence and public confidence.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury also raised the issue in the Tripura Assembly. On August 29, CPI(M) legislators protested after seeking a discussion on Dhankar’s death and repeated their demand for either an SIT investigation or an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge.
The political dispute intensified after the Chief Minister’s statement in the Assembly. Opposition legislators questioned whether the existing investigation was sufficient to resolve the questions surrounding the death. Meanwhile, the government maintained that the investigation was proceeding and that information could be placed before the Assembly at the appropriate stage.
Sarkar’s latest intervention adds to that continuing pressure. By publicly questioning the government’s reluctance to order an independent inquiry, he has reiterated the CPI(M)’s position that the existing process should receive additional judicial oversight.
However, these demands remain political positions and should not be treated as findings about the cause or circumstances of Dhankar’s death. The investigation remains the appropriate mechanism for establishing facts.
Death of Former DGP Continues to Draw Questions
Dhankar’s death has attracted particular attention because he served as Tripura’s highest-ranking police officer. Reports said he was found dead at the state police headquarters while on duty. His death therefore prompted questions from opposition parties and others about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The opposition has repeatedly described the circumstances as requiring an independent investigation. CPI(M) representatives have argued that a senior police officer’s death inside a highly secured government facility deserves a transparent examination.
At the same time, the government’s investigation has already involved multiple forms of evidence. Officials have said that forensic findings, electronic evidence and other records are being examined, while investigators have also interacted with family members.
Consequently, the central issue in the current political debate is not whether an investigation exists, but whether the investigation should continue under the existing state-led mechanism or move to a judicially supervised framework.
The state government has not announced a judicial inquiry in response to the renewed demand reported on September 10. Therefore, the immediate focus remains on the progress and findings of the ongoing investigation.
Conclusion
Manik Sarkar’s renewed call for an independent inquiry has once again placed the death of former Tripura DGP Anurag Dhankar at the centre of political discussion. Sarkar has argued that the circumstances surrounding the death require an impartial investigation and has questioned the government’s reluctance to order a judicial inquiry.
The CPI(M) has previously submitted memoranda to Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu seeking an investigation under the supervision of a sitting High Court judge. Meanwhile, the state government has defended its ongoing investigation and has said that investigators are examining available evidence.
The available evidence does not establish the opposition’s allegations as facts, nor does it establish that the government has acted improperly. The official investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings will be necessary to determine the circumstances surrounding Dhankar’s death.
FAQs
Why is Manik Sarkar demanding an independent inquiry?
Manik Sarkar says the circumstances surrounding Anurag Dhankar’s death warrant an impartial investigation capable of examining all relevant aspects of the case.
Who was Anurag Dhankar?
Anurag Dhankar was a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Tripura cadre who served as Director General of Police before his death on July 20, 2026.
What type of inquiry is the CPI(M) seeking?
The CPI(M) has sought an inquiry under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court.
What is the Tripura government’s position?
The government has said that an impartial investigation is underway and that evidence, including forensic and electronic material, is being examined.
Has an independent judicial inquiry been ordered?
The available September 10 reporting does not indicate that the state government has ordered the judicial inquiry demanded by Manik Sarkar and the CPI(M). The government has continued with its existing investigation.