Tripura Congress protests expulsion of Sudip Roy Barman, Demands CM's resignation 

The political atmosphere in Tripura has turned volatile after Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman was expelled from the Assembly for the day, prompting the Tripura Pradesh Congress to launch a sharp protest and demand the resignation of Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha.

At a press conference held at the Congress Bhavan, Pradesh Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha condemned the expulsion, calling it “unjust and politically motivated.” He said Barman had raised legitimate questions in the Assembly regarding the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of former DGP Anurag Dhankar, particularly the alleged disappearance of a suicide note.

According to Saha, Barman’s demand for a neutral and transparent investigation was aimed at uncovering whether there had been negligence or pressure in the case. He alleged that the expulsion was a deliberate attempt to silence discussion on a matter of public importance.

Sudip Roy Barman himself addressed the media later, making explosive claims about the handling of the suicide note. He alleged that the note, initially said to have been found on Dhankar’s table, was later reported missing, only to be recovered from the pocket of the deceased officer’s uniform when handed over to his wife. “How can such a crucial document vanish from the table and then reappear in the uniform? This raises serious questions about the integrity of the investigation,” Barman said.

He further argued that the note might contain sensitive information that could prove uncomfortable for certain individuals, which explained why it was allegedly concealed. While he did not disclose the contents of the note, he insisted that its authenticity and chain of custody must be examined thoroughly.

Barman also accused the government of attempting to link the death to family disputes, such as issues surrounding his son’s marriage, instead of addressing the possibility of institutional or professional pressures. He questioned why, if the note contained personal reasons, it was hidden from public view.

The Congress MLA went on to challenge the Chief Minister directly, stating that during Assembly proceedings he had invited Dr. Saha to refute his claims if they were false. “I even said I would resign as MLA if proven wrong. But the Chief Minister did not contradict me,” Barman asserted, questioning the CM’s moral position in the matter.

He alleged that political interference in the investigation could not be ruled out, warning that if transparency is compromised in the death of a top police officer, it sets a dangerous precedent for justice in ordinary cases.

The Pradesh Congress has pledged full support to Barman, with Ashish Kumar Saha announcing that the party will intensify its agitation in the coming days. He demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation, arguing that Dr. Saha’s role in the handling of the case has raised serious doubts.

Barman also said the issue would be escalated to the BJP’s central leadership, citing the upcoming visit of national general secretary B.L. Santosh, to whom he plans to submit a formal demand for action against the Chief Minister.