Itanagar: The ongoing probe into the death of 19-year-old Gomchu Yekar — a teenager who allegedly posed as a “sub-magistrate” despite having no formal appointment — has uncovered startling administrative lapses and systemic negligence at the Itanagar Capital Region deputy commissioner’s office.
In June this year, Gomchu was arrested by the Itanagar police for impersonating a magistrate and allegedly extorting around ₹7 lakh from the public over a month. The case was registered as Ita PS Case No. 95/25.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Monday, the teenager’s family said they were dissatisfied with the pace and depth of the inquiry and have sought a reinvestigation. “Several months have passed, but we’ve seen no results. We want the police to reinvestigate the case properly. How can a teenager act alone — extorting people, using VIP vehicles, security personnel, and moving freely across the capital — without someone powerful behind him?” a family member questioned.
The family members also displayed WhatsApp chats between Gomchu and then DC Talo Potom, which, they claimed, clearly showed that the teenager was regularly reporting his activities — including eviction drives, plot inspections and other administrative tasks — directly to the officer.
Gomchu, who died by suicide last week, had for months operated openly within the Itanagar Capital Region, using government vehicles, security personnel and even official stationery — without a single official record supporting his position.
According to police, there are no official documents in the DC office regarding his appointment. Yet, multiple testimonies and photographs indicate that the teenager worked under the direct supervision of then deputy commissioner Talo Potom and enjoyed privileges typically reserved for government officials.
“He had a cabin next to the DC’s camp office in IG Park. Everyone assumed he was officially appointed,” said Itanagar SDPO Kengo Dirchi, describing how Gomchu’s presence became normalised within the administrative setup.
Security deployment records also reveal that Gomchu received official escorts based on requisitions from the DC’s office. “When different offices ask for security support, we provide personnel. In this case, the then DC Talo Potom requested security, and we provided it,” Dirchi said.
Photographs shared by Gomchu’s family show him alongside IRBN and local police personnel, indicating that he operated with administrative backing despite lacking any formal authorization.
The case reportedly came to light when an Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) from the DC office complained that Gomchu was a “fake magistrate.” “When we told the EAC to file an FIR, he refused. So, the police had to take suo moto cognizance,” Dirchi said.
He added that even the DC office accepted funds collected by Gomchu and issued receipts listing him as “Sub-Magistrate, IG Park.” “Everyone in the DC office was confused,” Dirchi quoted the EAC as admitting during interrogation.
Receipts from the Judicial Branch confirm that Gomchu deposited public money into the Capital Jan Suvidha account, where he was officially recorded as “Sub-Magistrate, IG Park.”
Deputy Inspector General of Police (ICR) Tumme Amo, when contacted, confirmed that the family of the deceased teenager has submitted a written application to the officer-in-charge of Itanagar police station and also lodged a verbal complaint with him, expressing dissatisfaction over the ongoing investigation into the “fake magistrate” case (Itanagar PS Case No. 95/2025).
Amo said he subsequently called the SP, SDPO, and OC of Itanagar police station for a briefing on the investigation’s progress.
“The OC has briefed me regarding the ongoing inquiry, including the collection of certain alleged orders issued by the then DM, which are already in the public domain and remain under investigation,” Amo said.
He added that he has sought a detailed status report from the SP, Itanagar, following which a decision may be taken on whether to recommend transferring the case to the SIT at PHQ, as both cases appear to be closely interlinked.
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