Agartala, 28th August 2026 : Tension prevailed in the Tripura Legislative Assembly on Friday as CPI(M) legislators entered the well of the House and staged a protest demanding an independent investigation into the death of former Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar.
The Opposition sought either a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe or an investigation by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court to determine the circumstances surrounding the DGP’s death.
The issue was raised by Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury after Speaker Rampada Jamatia began proceedings. Chaudhury referred to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s suo motu statement on the death made in the Assembly on Thursday and questioned whether the matter was being investigated with complete transparency.
Chaudhury said an independent probe was necessary to establish the truth and urged the government to entrust the investigation to an SIT or a High Court judge.
The Speaker, however, ruled that under Rule 361, members could not initiate a discussion on matters connected with the Chief Minister’s suo motu statement. Following the ruling, Opposition legislators protested in the well and raised slogans.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha later defended the government’s decision to disclose details concerning the investigation, saying it was done in the public interest and to maintain transparency.
He said the available findings indicated that the death appeared to be suicidal in nature. Dr. Saha also noted that post-mortem findings form part of the evidence collected during a police investigation and can be disclosed when legally appropriate.
Despite the government’s explanation, the Opposition maintained its demand for an independent probe into the circumstances of the DGP’s death.
