Govindachamy, the convict serving a life sentence in the infamous Soumya rape and murder case, has escaped from Kannur Central Jail, one of Kerala’s most secure prisons. Jail authorities discovered his absence during a routine cell inspection early Thursday morning, triggering a massive statewide manhunt.
Lodged in Block 10, Govindachamy—who is disabled with only one functioning arm—is believed to have used bedsheets or cloth tied into a rope to scale the prison walls. Despite multiple CCTV cameras and a 7.5-meter-high security wall, he managed to flee undetected, raising serious questions about surveillance and internal lapses.
Police have intensified security checks at national highways, railway stations, and bus depots, especially in Kannur and Kasaragod districts, where he is believed to be hiding. The public has been urged to report any sightings or information to the police at 94468 99506.
Govindachamy, a repeat offender from Virudhachalam, Tamil Nadu, gained national notoriety in 2011 when he pushed 23-year-old Soumya from a moving train, raped her, and left her for dead. Initially sentenced to death, his penalty was later reduced to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court. He also goes by the alias Charley Thomas, and has several other criminal cases pending against him in Tamil Nadu.
The dramatic escape has sparked outrage and deep concern, as authorities scramble to track down one of the state’s most dangerous fugitives.
