Itanagar, May 8: The Supreme Court of India on May 7 restored the bail granted to Talo Potom in connection with an alleged abetment of suicide case involving 19-year-old Gomchu Yekar, setting aside an earlier order of the Gauhati High Court that had cancelled his bail.
A bench comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and Atul S Chandurkar observed that there were no sufficient grounds to revoke the bail earlier granted by the trial court. The apex court allowed Potom’s appeal after hearing submissions from the complainant’s side and directed that the bail order would continue to remain in force.
At the same time, the court cautioned Potom against intimidating witnesses or attempting to influence the investigation, stating that any verified complaint could result in cancellation of bail. The bench also clarified that observations made by the trial court while granting bail should not affect the merits of the ongoing proceedings.
The Supreme Court refrained from making any observations on the alleged dying declaration to ensure that the trial continues without prejudice.
The case relates to the death of Gomchu Yekar, who was found dead at his rented accommodation in Lekhi village on October 23, 2025. According to allegations, Yekar left behind suicide notes accusing Potom and another government engineer of sexual assault, mental harassment and exposing him to HIV/AIDS. Yekar had reportedly been employed in the Public Works Department through Potom.
Potom was arrested on October 27, 2025, and obtained bail from the Sessions Court within a week. However, the deceased’s father later challenged the relief before the Gauhati High Court, which cancelled the bail and ordered Potom’s immediate custody, observing that the trial court had ignored crucial evidence and granted relief without proper application of mind.
The High Court had also expressed concern that Potom, being an influential officer, could potentially interfere with the investigation at an early stage.
During the proceedings, the prosecution claimed that WhatsApp chats and voice messages exchanged between the accused and the deceased had been deleted and that forensic examination of electronic devices was still pending.
Challenging the High Court’s order, Potom approached the Supreme Court, which had earlier stayed the cancellation of bail and directed him to cooperate fully with the investigation.
