Arunachal IAS officer posted in Delhi arrested after teen suicide, sex abuse allegations; second accused found dead

An IAS officer from Arunachal Pradesh, accused in connection with the alleged suicide of a 19-year-old man, was arrested on Monday after surrendering to the police in Itanagar. The arrest follows serious allegations made in a purported suicide note that has triggered widespread protests and heightened tensions in the state.

According to The Indian Express, the officer — Talo Potom of the AGMUT cadre — had been serving as Special Secretary with the Delhi government’s Public Works Department at the time of the incident. He previously held the post of Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar before being transferred to the national capital in June this year.

Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Nyelam Nega confirmed that Potom has been booked for abetment of suicide and under BNS Sections 271 and 272, which relate to negligent or malignant acts likely to spread diseases dangerous to life. The charges stem from allegations levelled by the deceased, who is believed to have died by suicide on October 23.

Family members of the 19-year-old told the police that he had left behind suicide notes accusing officials of sexually exploiting him, making financial promises and manipulating him. He had also written that he had contracted HIV. The teenager had been employed as a contractual staffer.

Shortly before surrendering to the police, Potom released a video statement denying all allegations. In the video, he claimed he had no personal relationship with the deceased and said he had blocked the young man’s number after receiving multiple calls following his transfer to Delhi. Potom alleged that the teenager had sought his help in some extortion-related cases.

A First Information Report was registered in Papum Pare district after the family lodged a complaint and a Lookout Circular was issued against Potom. SP Nega said the officer, who was in Arunachal Pradesh on leave for his daughter’s wedding scheduled for October 28, surrendered on Monday morning and was subsequently arrested.

“The police had been searching for him since October 24, when the matter was brought to our notice… Because of the potential law and order problems that could be seen outside both the police station and the court today, the court remanded him to judicial custody and not police custody,” SP Nega was cited as saying by The Indian Express.

The case took a further grim turn when another official named in the teenager’s suicide note, Likwang Lowang, an executive engineer with the state’s Rural Works Department, also died by suspected suicide in Tirap district on the night of October 23–24, according to the police.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Department has reportedly written to the Services Department recommending Potom’s rustication from service.

As Potom was produced in court on Monday, Papum Pare district saw tense scenes, with protesters — including the deceased’s family — gathering outside the court complex demanding justice. Authorities moved him to judicial custody to avert any potential unrest.