A dramatic prison escape by Govindachamy, the one-armed convict in Kerala’s infamous 2011 Soumya rape case, has reignited public outrage and cast a harsh spotlight on lapses in the state’s prison system. He was recaptured after a four-hour manhunt, but the audacity of his escape from Kannur Central Jail—a supposedly high-security facility—has shocked the state.

The escape took place around 1:15 am on Friday, but officials only realized he was missing during a morning inspection. According to sources, the convict used clothes tied together to climb the prison wall, bypassing electric fencing and other safeguards. A probe has been launched to determine how a differently-abled inmate, with only one arm, managed to flee such a secure facility undetected.

Escape Triggers Statewide Manhunt

After jail staff discovered the escape, all state checkpoints were alerted, and security was intensified at railway stations, bus terminals, and border areas. A massive search operation was launched across Kannur. The convict, also known as Charley Thomas in police records, had been serving a life sentence in the fourth cell of the 10th block of the prison.

While Govindachamy is originally from Karur in Tamil Nadu, he was apprehended in Kannur city hours after the jailbreak. According to reports, he was spotted walking by local residents who quickly informed the authorities. Police Commissioner Nidhinraj P confirmed that tools used in the escape were recovered from his possession, suggesting he had been planning the act for at least 20 days. A local resident remarked, “How can he jump from that jail? He can’t do it without a supporter.” The police are now investigating whether he received any help from inside or outside the prison.

Final Capture: Found Hiding Inside a Well

Govindachamy’s arrest came after Vinoj, a vigilant local, tipped off police about a suspicious man near the DCC office in Talap. CCTV footage confirmed the man was Govindachamy. Soon after, a dog squad was deployed to the area. The final breakthrough occurred when M. Unnikrishnan, an employee at the National Sample Survey office, checked the compound and found the convict hiding inside a well.

“After the news came out earlier that Govindachamy had escaped from the prison and was last spotted near the DCC office at Talap, I checked the compound and also the well in the morning. He was not there. But after he was reportedly spotted near our premises, I checked again and found him hiding inside the well,” said Unnikrishnan.
“On seeing me, he threatened me of dire consequences,” he added. Police immediately took Govindachamy into custody and brought him to Kannur Town Police Station.

Security Breach Leads to Suspension of Jail Staff

Following the escape, four prison officers who were on duty at the time have been suspended, pending an inquiry. Jail DGP Balram Kumar Upadhyay has assured the public that a detailed investigation is underway. The incident has sparked political and public criticism, especially considering that Kannur Central Jail is equipped with electric fences and other high-end security measures.

Who is Govindachamy? The Criminal Behind the Outrage

The jailbreak has brought back into focus one of Kerala’s most disturbing crimes. On February 1, 2011, Soumya, a 23-year-old sales assistant from Kochi, was traveling alone in the women’s compartment of a train when Govindachamy attacked her. He pushed her out of the moving train near Vallathol Nagar station and later raped her while she lay injured beside the tracks. He stole her belongings before fleeing.

She was eventually found by locals and taken to Mulankunnathukavu Medical College Hospital, but succumbed to her injuries on February 6, 2011. Govindachamy was arrested in Palakkad three days after the assault.

Judicial Journey: From Death Sentence to Life Term

Initially, a fast-track court handed Govindachamy the death penalty in 2012, describing him as a habitual offender and stating that the crime had shaken society’s moral conscience. The Kerala High Court upheld the verdict. However, in 2016, the Supreme Court overturned the murder conviction, saying there wasn’t conclusive evidence he caused the fatal fall. His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment for rape, and he received seven years for assault.

Legacy of the Soumya Case

The Soumya case triggered a massive public and legal outcry across Kerala and beyond. It became a landmark moment in advocating for women’s safety, particularly in public transport systems. The brutality of the incident continues to resonate in the state’s collective memory, and Govindachamy’s jailbreak has only reopened those wounds.