CPI(M) legislators mounted a loud protest inside the Tripura Legislative Assembly on Friday, marching directly into the well of the House after Speaker Rampada Jamatia disallowed a debate on the circumstances surrounding the death of Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar. The Opposition demanded an independent investigation into the incident, insisting that complete transparency can only emerge through a Special Investigation Team or a probe overseen by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court.
Opposition Presses for Independent Probe into Police Chief's Death
The legislative turmoil began shortly after Speaker Rampada Jamatia commenced reading a congratulatory motion during the day's proceedings. Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury intervened to raise the issue, pointing to the suo motu statement delivered in the Assembly on Thursday by Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha regarding the senior officer's death. Chaudhury argued that since the head of the state government had already spoken on the floor of the House about the passing of a serving police chief, the administration was obligated to address the matter with complete openness.
Chaudhury stressed that a routine internal inquiry would not suffice given the gravity of the situation. He stated that if the state government is genuinely committed to establishing all the facts surrounding DGP Anurag Dhankar's death, it must immediately constitute a Special Investigation Team or transfer the entire case to a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court. According to the Opposition, establishing an independent judicial oversight mechanism is essential to maintain public trust in the state's investigative apparatus.
Speaker Cites Procedural Rules as Microphones Are Switched Off
Responding to the Opposition's demands, Speaker Rampada Jamatia refused to permit any further discussion on the topic during the session. The Speaker invoked Rule 361 of the Tripura Legislative Assembly rules of procedure, explaining that members are not permitted to initiate a debate centered around a Chief Minister's suo motu statement. Jamatia emphasized that Assembly proceedings must strictly adhere to established rules and regulations.
When Opposition members were prevented from continuing their speeches and their microphones were turned off, the confrontation escalated rapidly. Lawmakers belonging to the CPI(M) left their designated seats and moved into the well of the House. Standing before the Speaker's desk, the legislators raised slogans against the government and disrupted the scheduled business of the House to express their strong disapproval of the decision to disallow the debate.
Chief Minister Defends Disclosure of Investigation Details
Addressing the Assembly later, Chief Minister Manik Saha defended his decision to share preliminary details of the ongoing investigation with the House. Saha stated that the disclosures were made strictly in the public interest and with the explicit goal of maintaining transparency in governance. He revealed that preliminary information available to the state government indicates that the DGP's death appears to be suicidal in nature.
Saha cited Article 194 of the Constitution, which provides legislators with specific powers, privileges, and immunities in the discharge of their legislative functions. He explained that details derived from the post-mortem examination could legitimately be shared because the autopsy report forms an integral part of the evidence gathered by law enforcement during an active police investigation. The Chief Minister added that in high-profile cases, Chief Ministers or Home Ministers frequently brief legislative bodies on investigative developments that can legally be disclosed, promising that relevant documents including the post-mortem report would be laid before the Assembly at an appropriate stage.
