The Arunachal Pradesh Police arrested former Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) deputy commissioner Talo Potom in connection with the sensational twin suicide case involving allegations of sexual abuse, coercion and corruption.
Potom, who was serving as Secretary (PWD) with the Delhi government, surrendered at Nirjuli police station. He, however, released a video statement denying all allegations and calling the claims against him “baseless.”
Potom was wanted in a case registered under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, including those related to abetment to suicide and criminal misconduct.
The case pertains to the death of Gomchu Yekar, a young Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), who died by suicide at his rented apartment at Lekhi village in Nirjuli on October 23.
A handwritten note found at the spot allegedly mentioned harassment and coercion by two senior officials—Potom and Rural Works Department (RWD) Executive Engineer Likwang Lowang. Lowang also died by suicide the same day at his residence in Longding district, police said.
Yekar alleged sexual exploitation
Police initially registered a case of unnatural death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at Nirjuli police station, but the family later claimed that multiple suicide notes were recovered in which Yekar levelled grave allegations against both officials.
In the notes, Yekar alleged that he had been sexually exploited and harassed over an extended period, and claimed that prolonged humiliation, coercion and threats had pushed him to take his own life.
The notes further described alleged intimate relationships, manipulation, financial promises and subsequent threats. One note stated that he had contracted HIV and accused one of the officials of “abandoning him and blackmailing him”.
Yekar claimed he had been promised Rs 1 crore as financial assistance, which was later withdrawn, and wrote, “If I die, it will be because of him (Potom). Please give me justice.”
Yekar's father filed FIR
Yekar's father has filed a detailed complaint at Nirjuli police station seeking stringent criminal action against both officials for abetment of suicide, sexual exploitation, mental harassment, criminal intimidation, corruption and endangerment of life.
The FIR invokes the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017. It seeks that the suicide notes be treated as dying declarations, preserved as primary evidence, and sent for forensic and handwriting analysis.
The FIR further alleges that Yekar was coerced into illegal activities, repeatedly humiliated and later abandoned. He was initially engaged on a temporary basis by the then DC Potom to assist in enforcing the alcohol and tobacco-free order at Indira Gandhi Park.
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