By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the Gauhati High Court order that had cancelled the bail granted to Arunachal Pradesh IAS officer Talo Potom in an abetment of suicide case involving 19-year-old Gomchu Yekar.
A Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar allowed Potom’s appeal after hearing counsel for the complainant and found no grounds to cancel the bail granted by the trial court.
The court directed that the bail order passed by the trial court would continue to remain in force. It also observed that Potom shall not threaten or influence the complainant or witnesses during the pendency of the trial, adding that any violation could lead to cancellation of bail.
The Bench refrained from making observations on the contents of the alleged dying declaration, stating that it should not affect the merits of the case.
The case relates to the death of Gomchu Yekar, who was found dead at his rented accommodation in Lekhi village on October 23, 2025. He had allegedly left behind suicide notes accusing the accused persons of mental harassment, sexual exploitation, corruption-related activities and exposure to HIV/AIDS.
Potom was arrested on October 27, 2025, and was granted bail by the Sessions Court within a week. The bail was later challenged by the deceased’s father, following which the High Court cancelled the bail and ordered his custody.
The High Court had observed that the trial court granted bail without proper application of mind and had ignored material evidence, including references to Potom in the suicide note. It also noted concerns raised by the prosecution regarding deletion of WhatsApp chats and voice messages, which were sent for forensic examination.
The High Court had further held that releasing an “influential person” at an early stage could derail the investigation.
Potom subsequently moved the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court order. The apex court, while restoring bail, clarified that its observations were limited to the issue of custody and would not influence the trial.