The Supreme Court on May 7 reinstated the bail granted to Arunachal Pradesh IAS officer Talo Potom in the alleged abetment of suicide case connected to the death of 19-year-old Gomchu Yekar, setting aside the Gauhati High Court’s earlier decision cancelling his bail.

A bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar observed that there were no compelling reasons to interfere with the bail order passed by the trial court. After hearing arguments from the complainant’s side, the apex court allowed Potom’s appeal and directed that the bail granted earlier would remain effective. The Court, however, cautioned Potom against attempting to influence witnesses or obstruct the investigation, warning that any proven allegation of interference could result in cancellation of bail. It also clarified that the observations made while granting bail should not have any bearing on the merits of the ongoing trial. To avoid prejudicing the proceedings, the bench chose not to comment on the alleged dying declaration.

The matter relates to the death of Gomchu Yekar, who was found dead in his rented accommodation at Lekhi village on October 23, 2025. As per allegations, Yekar left suicide notes accusing Potom and another government engineer of sexual assault, mental harassment, and exposing him to HIV/AIDS. Reports indicate that Yekar had been working in the Public Works Department through Potom.

Potom was arrested on October 27, 2025, and was granted bail by the Sessions Court within a few days. The deceased’s father later challenged the order before the Gauhati High Court, which cancelled the bail and directed Potom to surrender, observing that the trial court had overlooked important evidence and failed to properly assess the case before granting relief.The High Court had further expressed concern that Potom, being a senior government officer, could influence the investigation at a crucial stage. During the hearing, the prosecution alleged that WhatsApp chats and voice recordings exchanged between the accused and the deceased had been deleted, while forensic examination of the electronic devices was still underway.

Aggrieved by the High Court’s order, Potom approached the Supreme Court, which had earlier stayed the cancellation of bail and instructed him to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.