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Itanagar, Oct 27 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Police on Monday arrested former Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) Deputy Commissioner Talo Pottom, who is currently posted as Special Secretary (PWD) in the Delhi government, after he surrendered before the police in connection with the sensational double suicide cases linked to allegations of sexual exploitation, intimidation and corruption. The officers provided this information.
IAS officer Pottom surrendered at Nirjuli police station in Itanagar on Monday and was then arrested under various sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS), 2023, including abetment of suicide and criminal misconduct, a police officer said. The FIR against the accused officer also includes provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.
Later, the police produced Pottom before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court at Yupia in Papum Pare district, which sent him to 14-day judicial custody. Family members of late Gomchu Yekar, along with several social activists, protested outside the Yupiya court when Pottom was being taken to Julli Central Jail in a police vehicle.
Senior officials of the PWD and Rural Works Department (RWD) had gone on the run after 19-year-old multi-tasking staff (MTS) Gomchu Yekar and executive engineer Likwang Lowang died separately by suicide on October 23. Yekar was found dead in his rented house in Lekhi village of Nirjuli under Papum Pare district, while Lowang also died by suicide at his residence in Longding district on the same day.
A handwritten note found at Yekar’s residence allegedly mentioned harassment and coercion by two senior officers – Potom and Lowang. Yekar’s family members later claimed that several suicide notes had been recovered, in which they had made serious allegations against the two officers. In the notes, Yeaker alleged that she was sexually abused and harassed over a long period of time and claimed that constant insults, coercion and threats forced her to take extreme measures.
One note reportedly mentioned that he had been infected with HIV and accused an officer of deserting and blackmailing him. Yekar also claimed that he was promised Rs 1 crore as financial compensation, which was later rejected. He wrote, “If I die it will be because of her (Pottom). Please give me justice.”
The victim’s father lodged a complaint at Nirjuli police station, demanding strict action against the two officers for abetment of suicide, sexual exploitation, mental harassment, criminal intimidation, corruption and endangering life. The complaint also requested that the suicide notes be treated as dying declarations, preserved as primary evidence and sent for forensic and handwriting analysis. The FIR further alleged that Yekar was forced into illegal activities, repeatedly humiliated and later abandoned.
Yekar was initially appointed on a temporary basis by the then DC Pottom during his tenure (2021-2025) to assist in enforcing the liquor and tobacco free order at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar. Police records note that Yeaker later “abused his position by conducting unauthorized raids, assaulting people, collecting illegal fines and extorting money from pubs, bars and liquor shops”. He allegedly used a rented car with a “Magistrate on Duty” nameplate and a forged seal to appear legitimate.
His family has demanded a transparent, comprehensive and independent investigation, possibly involving central agencies, given that the main accused holds an important government post. Yekar was earlier arrested for impersonating a magistrate and extorting huge sums of money from people.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kengo Dirchi to investigate the double suicide cases.
–IANS
SC/PGH