An undertrial prisoner named Raghavan escaped from police custody on the night of Friday, 31 October 2025, while being escorted into Coimbatore Central Prison, reigniting a sharp political row over prison security failures across Tamil Nadu. The incident — the third such escape in recent weeks following similar breaches at Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai and Thekkampatti Sub-Jail in Theni — has drawn condemnation from opposition parties and fresh demands for accountability.

How the Escape Unfolded

Raghavan had been arrested by Annur police in connection with a robbery case and sent to judicial custody by a local court. Officers subsequently escorted him to the Coimbatore prison complex to complete his formal admission. According to reports, his handcuffs were removed while he was being moved between the prison's outer entrance and the inner security gate — a standard but evidently vulnerable procedural step.

Raghavan allegedly used that window to break free from his escorts and flee the premises. Race Course police have registered a case and launched a search operation for the fugitive.

A Repeat Offender With a History of Evasion

This was reportedly not Raghavan's first attempt to evade custody. He had previously escaped while being arrested in Annur but was recaptured shortly afterwards. His latest escape has intensified scrutiny over whether escorting personnel were exercising adequate precautions given his known history of evasion.

Opposition Leaders Demand Action

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the incident, attributing it to negligence by security personnel. He described such escapes as unacceptable and demanded strict disciplinary action against officials responsible for the lapse. Ramadoss also called on the Tamil Nadu government to overhaul security arrangements at all prisons across the state, citing the Chennai and Theni incidents as evidence of a systemic failure requiring immediate corrective measures.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami criticised the ruling government in a post on X, comparing the succession of prisoner escapes to a television serial. Palaniswami pointed out that the Coimbatore escape occurred just hours after the Chief Minister had reportedly cautioned prison personnel against negligence — underscoring, he argued, the futility of warnings without structural reform.

The Broader Pattern and What It Signals

The three escapes in quick succession — at Puzhal, Theni, and now Coimbatore — have concentrated opposition pressure on the state government at a time when prison administration was already under scrutiny. Critics argue that repeated public assurances about tightening security have not translated into operational changes on the ground.

The central procedural question now being raised is why handcuffs were removed before a prisoner with a known evasion history had been safely admitted past both security gates. With Race Course police actively searching for Raghavan, the government faces mounting pressure to respond with both a capture and a credible plan to prevent further incidents.