Double Suicide in Arunachal Pradesh: Investigation Reveals Sexual Exploitation and Threats Against 19-Year-Old Victim

Guwahati:

A tragic case of double suicide has emerged from Arunachal Pradesh involving a 19-year-old man and a senior government official, amidst serious allegations of sexual exploitation, manipulation, and threats.

Gomchu Yekar, the 19-year-old victim, was discovered deceased at his rented accommodation near Itanagar on Thursday. His death came to light when a neighbor noticed his door ajar but received no response upon calling out. Authorities later recovered a suicide note that contained accusations against two senior government officials of sexual abuse and harassment.

The deceased's father, Tagom Yekar, has filed a formal complaint against Talo Potom, an IAS officer and former deputy commissioner, and Likwang Lowang, an executive engineer at the Rural Works Department, alleging abetment to suicide, according to police sources.

Initially, police registered the case as an unnatural death, but additional charges were incorporated following the discovery of the suicide note.

Sources reveal that the suicide note contained grave allegations of sexual exploitation, manipulation, and threats. It stated that Yekar had been recruited by one of the officials and that his situation had become unbearable.

The note further claimed that Yekar had contracted HIV and was subsequently abandoned and blackmailed by the officials. He alleged that despite promises of financial assistance amounting to Rs 1 crore, the officials refused to help him and threatened to "destroy his life."

In a shocking development, Lowang, one of the accused officials, took his own life yesterday after being implicated in Yekar's suicide note.

Sources indicate that no arrest warrant has yet been issued against Potom, who currently serves as Special Secretary in the PWD department in Delhi.

The Arunachal Pradesh Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Itanagar SDPO Kengo Dirchi to investigate the case thoroughly.

During a raid at Potom's residence in Itanagar, investigators discovered that he had inserted one of his SIM cards into a brand-new mobile phone and left it in his bedroom, while a second SIM card was recovered from his caretaker's possession.