A jailbreak and a great embarrassment

The jailbreak of "one-handed" Govindachamy, a convicted murderer and hardened criminal, has shattered public confidence in prison security and exposed the government’s claims about safety measures. Although police managed to capture Govindachamy within three and a half hours of receiving information, countless questions remain about how he escaped from the high‑security cell and ended up jumping into a deserted well in Thalappu. A probe has been announced to find out how he managed to escape, and three prison officers have been suspended for negligence. But this cannot be the end of the inquiry into the serious lapses in security that led to the escape.

Kannur Central Jail is surrounded by seven‑and‑a‑half‑meter‑high walls, yet Govindachamy managed to climb them using a rope he made from bedsheets — all with one arm. It is hard to believe that he received no help from inside the jail. He reportedly cut through the iron bars of his cell — where did he get the blade? Who provided him with a shirt and trousers after he got out? Evading the guards, he reached the prison wall, rolled logs lying nearby to climb on, threw the cloth rope over the barbed wire, and scaled the wall. After getting out, he hid his amputated arm by carrying a sack on his shoulder and walked away. He was caught only because an auto‑rickshaw driver became suspicious and alerted the police. What if he had managed to leave the state by then?

Kannur Central Jail houses not only political prisoners but also some of the most notorious criminals. Though authorities claim the facility has foolproof security, there have long been allegations that influential inmates enjoy privileges and illegal comforts. Those with clout face no hurdles in getting parole or sentence reductions. Mobile phones, drugs, and other contraband have been seized from cells and prison grounds multiple times, even though CCTV cameras supposedly monitor the entire facility. Conditions inside often depend on an inmate’s party affiliation or influence.

The jailbreak has now put the entire prison security system under a cloud of suspicion. The government must act quickly to close these loopholes and restore public confidence that criminals remain safely behind bars. Prison rules clearly outline controls on inmates, permitted facilities, visitor regulations, and security for different types of cells. The state must ensure these rules are strictly followed. Action cannot stop with the suspension of three officers — tougher and impartial disciplinary measures are essential to fix accountability and prevent future lapses.