IAS Officer Talo Potom Arrested in Arunachal Pradesh Suicide Case

Senior IAS Officer Surrenders and is Arrested

Talo Potom, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, surrendered to police on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Nirjuli police station in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and was subsequently arrested. The arrest is in connection with the death by suicide of a 19-year-old youth, Gomchu Yekar, who allegedly left suicide notes accusing Potom and another government official of sexual exploitation and abetment to suicide. Potom had been untraceable for four days, prompting police to issue a lookout notice against him.

Before his surrender, Potom released a video statement vehemently denying all allegations, claiming they were 'all false and far from the truth' and assuring full cooperation with the investigation.

Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abetment to Suicide

The case began with the discovery of Gomchu Yekar's body on October 23 at his rented apartment in Lekhi village, Nirjuli. Multiple handwritten suicide notes were reportedly found at the scene, which formed the basis of an FIR filed by Yekar's father, Tagom Yekar.

The notes allegedly accused Talo Potom and Likwang Lowang, an Executive Engineer in the Rural Works Department (RWD), of prolonged sexual exploitation, harassment, coercion, and threats that led to Yekar taking his own life. Yekar also claimed to have contracted HIV and accused one of the officials of abandoning and blackmailing him. The FIR further alleged that Yekar was 'coerced into participating in illegal activities, humiliated repeatedly, and then abandoned.'

In a grim turn of events, Likwang Lowang also died by suicide at his residence in Khonsa, Tirap district, on the same day Yekar's body was discovered.

Judicial Custody and Ongoing Investigation

Following his arrest, Talo Potom was produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court in Yupia, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. He is currently lodged in the Jully central jail. The charges against Potom include abetment to suicide and criminal misconduct under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, with additional sections pertaining to negligent or malignant acts likely to spread dangerous diseases (BNS sections 271 and 272). The FIR also invokes provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.

At the time of the incident, Potom was serving as the Special Secretary (PWD) with the Delhi government, having previously been the Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar Capital Region. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted by the Arunachal Pradesh Police to probe the twin suicide case, ensuring a 'free, fair and time-bound investigation.' Protests by Yekar's family members and supporters have taken place, demanding 'justice without bias' and opposing any bail plea for the accused.