In a major development in the Arunachal Pradesh suicide case, Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Talo Potom was arrested on Monday after surrendering before the Nirjuli police.
Potom, who had been untraceable for four days, appeared at the police station around 7:30 am and was later remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a court in Yupia.
Who is Talo Potom
Potom is a senior bureaucrat currently serving as special secretary (PWD) with the Delhi government and formerly held the post of deputy commissioner of the Itanagar Capital Region.
His arrest comes amid allegations linking him to the suicide of a 19-year-old youth, whose death has stirred public outrage across Arunachal Pradesh.
Background to the case
The 19-year-old died by suicide last Thursday, leaving behind notes accusing Potom and another government official of exploitation.
The other accused, a Rural Works Department engineer, also died by suicide hours after the incident, intensifying public anger.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Itanagar SDPO Kengo Dirchi is probing the case.
Allegations and investigation ahead
Before surrendering, Potom released a video statement denying all allegations and assuring cooperation with investigators.
Outside the court, the victim’s family and civil society groups continued their protest, demanding a fair and impartial investigation and asserting that “no one should be above the law.”
