Tripura top cop Anurag Dhankar found hanging in office, suicide suspected

Tripura's Director General of Police, Anurag Dhankar, was found dead in his office at the state police headquarters in Agartala on Monday afternoon. According to officials, Dhankar, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was discovered hanging in his office chamber. Despite extensive efforts to revive him, including nearly 48 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), he was pronounced dead at 12:48 pm local time. The cause of death has not been officially confirmed, pending results from a post-mortem examination. Dhankar was rushed to Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital shortly after his body was discovered. Upon arrival, medical staff found no vital signs, no pulse, blood pressure, temperature, or other indicators of life. Immediate CPR was initiated, with a team of specialists working for almost an hour to try to restore his heartbeat. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful, leading to the formal declaration of death at 12:48 pm. Dr. Pradip Bhowmik, a senior physician at the hospital, described the situation as critical upon Dhankar’s arrival. “When he was brought here around 12:00 PM, our attending doctor examined him,” he stated. “We could not find any pulse, blood pressure, temperature, or any other vital signs.” The medical team immediately began CPR, which continued for approximately 48 minutes. Despite these efforts, Dhankar did not respond, and the hospital eventually declared him dead. The medical professionals emphasized that determining the exact cause of death requires further analysis. Dr. Bhowmik noted that because Dhankar arrived with no detectable vital signs, it was impossible to ascertain any underlying conditions at that point. His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, which will provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding his death. Questions regarding potential signs of hanging or physical trauma remain unanswered until this process is complete. Authorities have already begun an internal investigation into the incident. Senior police officers arrived at the police headquarters promptly after the discovery, securing the premises and initiating inquiries into the sequence of events leading up to Dhankar’s death. While no official statement has been released by the police department, the focus appears to be on confirming the nature of his passing through forensic procedures. Kiran Gitte, the Secretary to the Chief Minister of Tripura, commented on the preliminary findings. She indicated that although initial reports suggest suicide, the exact cause of death must await confirmation from the post-mortem. This uncertainty underscores the need for thorough investigative measures to ensure transparency and accuracy in understanding how such a high-profile figure met his end. As the investigation unfolds, attention turns to the broader implications within the state’s law enforcement community. Dhankar had served in various capacities over the years, contributing significantly to policing in Tripura. His sudden demise raises questions about mental health support systems available to senior officers and the pressures they might face in their roles. The outcome of the post-mortem and subsequent investigations will determine whether this tragic event is classified as a suicide or if other factors played a role. Until then, the police force and public alike await further developments with anticipation. The results of the examination will not only clarify the circumstances of Dhankar’s death but also inform future protocols aimed at preventing similar incidents among service personnel.