- By Chetna Shree
- Fri, 25 Jul 2025 10:36 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a major safety lapse in prison security, Govindachamy, a convict in the 2011 rape-murder case of a 23-year-old woman, escaped Kerala’s Kannur Central Jail in the early hours of Friday, prompting police to launch a statewide hunt. After a few hours of manhunt, he was rearrested by the police near a derelict building in the Thalap area. He fled the prison at around 1:15 AM on July 25. Later in the morning, when police officials were conducting routine checks, they noticed his absence and soon launched a statewide hunt for him. High alert has been issued at checkpoints, transport hubs and border areas.
#WATCH | Kannur, Kerala | 2011 Soumya rape and murder accused Govindachamy, who had escaped from Kannur Jail, arrested https://t.co/yItvEXKj49 pic.twitter.com/fj3MzJi4aZ
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025
The incident raised major concerns over safety lapses in one of the most secure Kerala prisons. He was imprisoned in a rape-murder case in the fourth cell of the 10th block.
Kannur: 2011 Soumya rape and murder accused Govindachamy escapes from Kannur Central Jail.
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025
Govindachamy was serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of 23-year-old Soumya, who was attacked while travelling on a passenger train from Ernakulam to Shoranur on February 1,… https://t.co/ccjOfbU5FC pic.twitter.com/Gz3jTdNySr
What Was The 2011 Rape-Murder Case?
Govindachamy, also known as Charley Thomas in police records, was a resident of Karur in Tamil Nadu. He was serving a life sentence for the rape of a 23-year-old man who died after being assaulted and thrown out of a moving train in February 2011. She was travelling from Ernakulam to Shoranur when the convict raped her and pushed her out of the moving train. She was taken to Thrissur Medical College, where she died from her injuries on February 6, 2011.
The police officials have shared detailed information about Govindachamy. He is 41 years old and his left hand is amputated. He has a mark on his right cheek and a bruise on the left. He had recently cut his hair.
Despite his arm being amputated, he managed to flee the jail. Police officials are probing security lapses, and surveillance has been increased at all checkpoints. The police have requested to contact 9446899506 if they have any information about Govindachamy.