How Did a Convicted Rape-Murder Criminal Escape from Kannur Jail?
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Synopsis
In a shocking turn of events, Govindachamy, a convicted rapist and murderer, managed to escape from a high-security prison in Kannur, only to be apprehended hours later hiding in a well. This incident raises serious concerns about prison security protocols and potential complicity.
Key Takeaways
- Critical security failures in high-security prisons can lead to dangerous escapes.
- Community vigilance played a crucial role in the swift capture of the fugitive.
- Legal outcomes can be controversial, as seen in Govindachamy's case.
- Public safety needs to be prioritized when addressing prison security.
- Familial impacts of crime highlight the human cost of such incidents.
Kannur, July 25 (NationPress) The Kerala Police in Kannur apprehended Govindachamy, a notorious convict who broke out from the Central prison during the early hours of Friday.
He was discovered hiding in a well after fleeing the high-security Kannur prison around 1:15 a.m.
After significant effort, police officials managed to retrieve him from the well situated on the grounds of an abandoned house that had become overrun with vegetation.
Furious locals, assisting the police, were seen striking him as they worked to pull him out.
According to the authorities, they were alerted about a man hiding in a vacant residential area adjacent to the jail from where he had escaped.
The arrest occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m., roughly nine hours post-escape.
A sniffer dog significantly contributed to the capture, having tracked him for around 2 km from the prison to his arrest site.
Two individuals recognized the fleeing Govindachamy, who is missing one hand, and promptly notified the police, leading to his swift capture.
In a severe security breach, Govindachamy escaped from the high-security Kannur prison at 1:15 a.m. on Friday.
This serious lapse was detected by jail officials around 5:00 a.m. and reported to local police two hours later.
Reports indicate that during the jailbreak, the electricity was turned off.
Govindachamy was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman.
At dawn, a long rope fashioned from clothing was seen hanging from the prison's over 25-foot-high compound wall, puzzling observers as to how a one-handed person could climb it, especially given the presence of an electric fence.
The Kannur jail is a specialized high-security facility with 68 cells, and it was from one of these cells that Govindachamy managed to escape.
The Kerala High Court upheld a fast-track court’s ruling in December 2013, confirming that Govindachamy had robbed and pushed 23-year-old Soumya, a resident of Shoranur, off the Ernakulam-Shoranur passenger train on February 1, 2011.
She was sexually assaulted and brutally beaten. The Railway police found Soumya near a railway track, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries at the Government Medical College in Thrissur on February 6, 2011.
At that time, Govindachamy had already been convicted in eight cases in his home state of Tamil Nadu.
The fast-track court sentenced him to death in 2012, categorizing him as a habitual offender and stating that the heinous nature of the crime was a significant factor in the victim’s death, shocking society.
The High Court upheld the death sentence two years later, which he contested in the Supreme Court.
In 2016, the Supreme Court commuted his death sentence to seven years in prison after dropping the murder charge but maintained the life sentence.
Soumya’s mother expressed her profound disappointment at the escape from jail.
“How could this occur in a high-security facility with all the CCTV measures? This indicates he received assistance from somewhere, which is disheartening,” she remarked. Upon learning of his arrest, she broke down, questioning why this man was still alive after taking her daughter's life.
“I fail to comprehend why the apex court acted in this manner,” she stated.
Ashraf, the police officer who captured the notorious criminal in 2011, voiced his longstanding fear that this habitual offender would eventually escape.
Former state BJP president K. Surendran vehemently criticized the government and police, claiming that the criminal did not merely escape but was assisted in doing so.
“There is a significant conspiracy at play, as the one-handed Govindachamy was allowed to flee. The Kannur jail is overseen by a jail committee that includes prominent CPI(M) leaders like P. Jayarajan.
Point of View
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Govindachamy escape from the prison?
Govindachamy escaped by climbing over a 25-foot-high prison wall using a rope made from clothes, which raises significant concerns about prison security.
What crime was Govindachamy convicted of?
He was convicted of the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman named Soumya, which resulted in a life sentence.
How was he eventually caught?
He was found hiding in a well after locals and police tracked him down with the help of a sniffer dog.
What was the reaction of Soumya's mother to the escape?
Soumya's mother expressed deep disappointment and frustration over the escape, questioning the security measures in place at the prison.
What does this incident indicate about prison security?
This incident highlights serious lapses in prison security protocols and raises questions about the possibility of inside assistance in facilitating the escape.
