The 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by West Tripura Superintendent of Police (SP) Namit Pathak, has intensified its investigation into the mysterious death of former Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar, with the police saying that the probe is progressing steadily.

Speaking to media persons at the AD Nagar Police Lines in Agartala on Friday, SP Namit Pathak said the SIT was examining all possible aspects of the case to ascertain the circumstances that led to the sudden death of the former DGP.

He said the investigation team had collected scientific evidence and was leaving no stone unturned to reach a conclusion. Pathak added that if any person was found to have played a role in the death, legal action would be taken in accordance with the law.

The SP, however, declined to disclose details of the ongoing investigation, citing the sensitive nature of the case. He said the scientific investigation was progressing well and expressed hope that the mystery surrounding the death would be resolved soon.

Anurag Dhankar, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Tripura cadre, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the washroom attached to his official chamber at the State Police Headquarters in Agartala on July 20.

Following the incident, the in-charge DGP had initially constituted a three-member investigation team on July 24 under the leadership of SP (West) Namit Pathak. The team was subsequently expanded to 10 members to strengthen and broaden the probe.

The reconstituted team includes Additional SP (Urban), West Tripura, Dhruba Nath; officers-in-charge of the Cyber Crime Police Station, Amtali Police Station and West Agartala Women Police Station; and officers from the Battala and Ramnagar police outposts. An Inspector from the KTD Singh Police Training Academy and the previous investigating officer, Subhojit Deb, has also been inducted into the team.

The investigating officers have been directed to complete their assigned responsibilities promptly and maintain close coordination with other members of the team. Daily progress reports covering evidence collected technical analysis and proposed future action are to be submitted to the SP, West Tripura, for continuous supervision. A consolidated weekly progress report will also be submitted every Saturday to the Inspector General of Police (Law and Order).

Meanwhile, opposition parties CPI(M) and Congress have continued to demand a judicial inquiry into the death.

Speaking on security arrangements for Independence Day, SP Namit Pathak said comprehensive security measures had been put in place across West Tripura district, including heightened vigil along the international border, to ensure the peaceful observance of the 80th Independence Day on Saturday.

He said foolproof security arrangements had been made in Agartala and other parts of West Tripura, as well as across the state.

Although there is no specific security threat to Tripura, Pathak said the police were maintaining a high alert due to security concerns in the border areas.

He added that police were conducting regular anti-liquor and anti-drug drives across the district. During the past week, 151 persons were arrested across the district under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.