PASIGHAT, 18 Jun: Anti-drugs activist Gumin Mize was arrested by the police here in East Siang district on Thursday in connection with an alleged rape case registered at the women police station here, and was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a local court.

According to sources, Mize was apprehended at around 2 pm and later produced before the court, which sent him to judicial custody, pending investigation.

The arrest followed an FIR lodged by a woman alleging rape, criminal intimidation with a firearm, sexual harassment, and exploitation of her vulnerable circumstances while her husband was undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation centre.

According to the complaint, the woman had approached Mize in April, seeking assistance regarding her husband, who was subsequently admitted to a rehabilitation centre by members of the Arunachal Pradesh Anti-Drug Warriors (APADW).

The complainant alleged that on 29 April, Mize took her in his vehicle to a secluded location and sexually assaulted her against her will.

She further alleged that he threatened her with a pistol and later exerted pressure on her in matters related to her husband’s release from the rehabilitation centre.

Based on the complaint, a case under Sections 64(1), 75(2), 115(2), 351(3) and 12(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Section 25(1B)(a) of the Arms Act has been registered against Mize.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the handling of proceedings during the initial stage of the case. According to sources, the accused was present in the court for production proceedings while the survivor’s statement was being recorded before a magistrate.

The development has triggered questions over whether adequate safeguards were in place to ensure that the complainant could depose in an atmosphere free from fear, pressure, or intimidation.

Police officials have not issued any detailed statement regarding the concerns surrounding the court proceedings.

The investigation is in progress.