Tripura DGP Anurag Dhankar dies, state declares mourning

Tripura Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar, a 1994‑batch IPS officer, was found dead on 20 July 2026 at the state police headquarters in Agartala. He was discovered in the bathroom attached to his office chamber and was rushed to Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The cause of death remains unclear; initial reports suggest a possible suicide, but officials have launched a forensic investigation and await the post‑mortem report.

The Tripura state cabinet observed a two‑minute silence, expressed deep sorrow, and announced a one‑day state mourning with the national flag flown at half‑mast on government buildings. Chief Minister Manik Saha and senior officials visited the hospital and the police headquarters. On the same day, the government appointed Additional Director General of Police (Armed Police) G.S. Rao as the in‑charge DGP until further orders.

Dhankar’s career included service in the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Bureau of Police Research and Development, and a United Nations mission in Kosovo. He had been the state’s DGP since May 2025. The incident has prompted widespread condolences from political leaders and sparked calls for a thorough inquiry.