More officers added to team probing Tripura DGP's death

Seven additional officials have joined the team for investigating the death of former Tripura Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar, according to an order issued Monday, July 27, by West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak.

The move comes as the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M) and the Congress party press for a judicial probe into Dhankar's death.

"In the interest of ensuring a thorough, coordinated and expeditious investigation of the case, the probe team headed by Pathak has been reconstituted by adding seven more officials," the order said.

Dhankar, who had led the CBI investigation into the alleged Rs 130 billion Punjab National Bank fraud involving diamantaire Nirav Modi and the reinvestigation of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was found hanging on July 20 in the washroom attached to his chamber at the state police headquarters.

The order said officers will hold daily briefings to review the investigation's progress, discuss developments, assign tasks and plan further steps. It said all officers involved must submit a daily progress report to the West Tripura SP detailing the investigation, evidence collected, technical analysis and proposed next steps.

Earlier Monday, July 27, a CPI(M) legislative delegation met with Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu, urging him to intervene and call for a probe monitored by the state High Court.

CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury told reporters that people across the country find it difficult to believe Dhankar, who had led the CBI in several high-profile cases, died by suicide in what he described as the most secure location in the state. He said Dhankar's body was found in his chamber's washroom, in full uniform, with his cap on the floor.

Secretary Chaudhury said Dhankar had received a ceremonial guard of honor, a weekly ritual, at police headquarters about an hour before his death and showed no signs of stress. He questioned how an officer entrusted with the security of 4.4 million people in Tripura would end his life in that manner, saying there were reasonable grounds to challenge the suicide theory.

Chaudhury said the delegation asked the governor to direct the state government to order a High Court-monitored investigation "to ensure justice for Dhankar's family." He added that the CPI(M) had no objection to the three-member team led by Pathak continuing its probe, provided the High Court oversees the process.

Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman made a similar demand for a judicial probe on Sunday, July 26.

BJP MLA Ranjit Das rejected the demands, accusing the opposition of trying to mislead the public for political gain over Dhankar's death. He said the investigation had already begun in a fully transparent manner.