Govindachamy jailbreak: Four Kannur prison officers suspended over lapses
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links. The Kerala government on Friday, July 25, suspended four prison officials in connection with the jailbreak of Govindachamy, also known as Charley Thomas, a convict in the 2011 rape and murder of a woman.The suspended officials include Assistant Jail Superintendent Rejo, Deputy Prison Officer Rejish, and Assistant Prison Officers Sanjay and Farith. The suspended officials include Assistant Jail Superintendent Rejo, Deputy Prison Officer Rejish, and Assistant Prison Officers Sanjay and Farith. The action was taken following a preliminary inquiry conducted by the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (North Zone), which found lapses on the part of the officers on duty.Govindachamy, who was serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman, escaped from the high-security Kannur Central Jail in the early hours of Friday. Police estimate that the jailbreak occurred between 4.15 am and 6.30 am.Kannur City Police Commissioner Nidhin Raj said that they received information about the jailbreak around 6.30 am, after which a state-wide search was launched, with a special focus on Kannur. The police also alerted neighbouring states.The escape prompted an intensified manhunt. Security was heightened across railway stations and bus terminals. After nearly five hours, the fugitive was captured around 10.15 am, three kilometers away from the jail. He was found hiding in the well of an abandoned house in Talap. It was the local residents who aided in the capture by alerting the police.Balram Kumar Upadhyay, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, told TNM that the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (North Zone) had conducted a preliminary inquiry. The investigation revealed lapses on the part of prison officials.“The DIG will conduct a detailed probe into the matter. His preliminary inquiry revealed several lapses. Our internal investigation also suggests that Govindachamy executed the jailbreak with meticulous planning,” he said.According to reports, prison officials usually conduct a daily headcount at 5:30 am. However, on Friday morning, the officer’s report did not mention any missing inmates. A re-check was conducted after officials noticed a cloth hanging on the prison wall. Upon closer examination, they realised Govindachamy was missing.Reportedly, he escaped by cutting through the iron bars of his cell and using bedsheets to create a rope, which he used to scale the prison wall. Although the wall is secured with an electric fence, it was reportedly not functioning at the time of the escape. He is said to have fled from a spot monitored by CCTV cameras.Officials claim Govindachamy had meticulously planned the escape. In the months leading up to it, he reduced his rice intake and consumed only rotis to lose weight, enabling him to squeeze through the cut bars more easily.In February 2011, Govindachamy was convicted of the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman. The crime occurred on February 1, 2011, when the woman was travelling on a train. He pushed her off the train and raped her. She later died from her injuries at Thrissur Medical College on February 6.
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
THE Kerala government on Friday, July 25, suspended four prison officials in connection with the jailbreak of Govindachamy, also known as Charley Thomas, a convict in the 2011 rape and murder of a woman.
The suspended officials include Assistant Jail Superintendent Rejo, Deputy Prison Officer Rejish, and Assistant Prison Officers Sanjay and Farith.
The suspended officials include Assistant Jail Superintendent Rejo, Deputy Prison Officer Rejish, and Assistant Prison Officers Sanjay and Farith.
The action was taken following a preliminary inquiry conducted by the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (North Zone), which found lapses on the part of the officers on duty.
Govindachamy, who was serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman, escaped from the high-security Kannur Central Jail in the early hours of Friday. Police estimate that the jailbreak occurred between 4.15 am and 6.30 am.
Kannur City Police Commissioner Nidhin Raj said that they received information about the jailbreak around 6.30 am, after which a state-wide search was launched, with a special focus on Kannur. The police also alerted neighbouring states.
The escape prompted an intensified manhunt. Security was heightened across railway stations and bus terminals. After nearly five hours, the fugitive was captured around 10.15 am, three kilometers away from the jail. He was found hiding in the well of an abandoned house in Talap. It was the local residents who aided in the capture by alerting the police.
Balram Kumar Upadhyay, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, told TNM that the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (North Zone) had conducted a preliminary inquiry. The investigation revealed lapses on the part of prison officials.
“The DIG will conduct a detailed probe into the matter. His preliminary inquiry revealed several lapses. Our internal investigation also suggests that Govindachamy executed the jailbreak with meticulous planning,” he said.
According to reports, prison officials usually conduct a daily headcount at 5:30 am. However, on Friday morning, the officer’s report did not mention any missing inmates. A re-check was conducted after officials noticed a cloth hanging on the prison wall. Upon closer examination, they realised Govindachamy was missing.
Reportedly, he escaped by cutting through the iron bars of his cell and using bedsheets to create a rope, which he used to scale the prison wall. Although the wall is secured with an electric fence, it was reportedly not functioning at the time of the escape. He is said to have fled from a spot monitored by CCTV cameras.
Officials claim Govindachamy had meticulously planned the escape. In the months leading up to it, he reduced his rice intake and consumed only rotis to lose weight, enabling him to squeeze through the cut bars more easily.
In February 2011, Govindachamy was convicted of the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman. The crime occurred on February 1, 2011, when the woman was travelling on a train. He pushed her off the train and raped her. She later died from her injuries at Thrissur Medical College on February 6.
