The Itanagar Bench of the Gauhati High Court has quashed the bail granted to senior IAS officer Talo Potom in a high-profile abetment to suicide case, terming the earlier bail order “perverse” and legally unsustainable. The court directed that Potom be taken into custody immediately and granted him liberty to seek fresh bail, if advised.
In a strongly worded order passed by Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer on Friday, the court held that the November 2025 bail order issued by the lower court had ignored crucial evidence and applicable legal standards. It observed that the trial court had conducted what amounted to a “mini trial” and made speculative findings about the mental health of the deceased without any supporting material.
“The order was passed without proper application of mind,” the High Court noted, adding that the decision to grant bail at a preliminary stage of investigation was flawed given the serious nature of the allegations and the influence of the accused.
The case pertains to the suicide of Gomchu Yekar, who was found dead in October 2025 at his rented house in Lekhi village. The deceased’s father, Tagom Yekar, had approached the High Court seeking cancellation of bail granted to Potom, alleging that his son had faced sustained mental harassment, sexual exploitation, and pressure in connection with corruption-related matters — all allegedly orchestrated by the IAS officer.
Multiple suicide notes were found at the scene, which reportedly detailed the mental agony endured by the deceased. During the hearing, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) informed the court that forensic analysis confirmed the notes were written by Gomchu Yekar himself.
Petitioner’s counsel argued that Potom was granted bail merely seven days after his arrest, despite the fact that key pieces of digital evidence — including deleted WhatsApp messages and voice recordings — were still under forensic examination. The SIT also submitted that custodial interrogation could not be undertaken earlier due to prevailing law and order concerns.
The High Court found merit in these submissions, noting that releasing an influential accused person at a nascent stage of investigation could derail the probe and compromise justice.
While cancelling the bail and ordering immediate arrest, the bench clarified that Potom retains the right to file a fresh bail application before the trial court in accordance with law.
“The offence has shocked the collective conscience of society,” the court remarked, emphasizing the importance of a free and fair investigation in cases involving public officials.
The case continues to attract public attention due to its grave allegations and the high-profile status of the accused, who had served in several senior administrative capacities in Arunachal Pradesh.
