'Cut wires, climbed 15 ft wall': How Kerala rape-murder convict escaped from high-security prison

Panic gripped the Kannur police on Friday morning after Govindachamy, a convict serving a life sentence in a 2011 rape and murder case of a young woman, escaped from the high-security Kannur Central Jail in Kerala.

The dramatic jailbreak triggered a state-wide manhunt. Hours later, the fugitive, was found hiding in a well near Kannur.

Govindachamy’s escape has raised serious questions about security lapses in one of Kerala’s most guarded prisons and how a high-profile convict, who does not have a left hand, managed to slip through unnoticed.

Who is Govindachamy & what is the case against him?

Govindachamy, also known as Charley Thomas in police records, is a native of Virudanagar in Tamil Nadu. The man is a repeat offender with multiple criminal cases registered against him, mostly involving theft and violence. But it was the 2011 Soumya rape and murder case that brought him national infamy.

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Soumya, a 23-year-old woman who worked at a shopping mall in Kochi, was travelling alone in the ladies’ coach of the Ernakulam-Shoranur passenger train on February 1, 2011.

During the journey, Govindachamy, who had boarded the train illegally, attacked her inside the compartment. He assaulted her, pushed her off the moving train near Thrissur, and then jumped off after her. He then carried the injured woman to a wooded area near the track, where he brutally raped her.

While Govindachamy was arrested in Palakkad on February 4, Soumya succumbed to her injuries a few days later in the hospital. The case had led to widespread protests across Kerala and calls for swift justice.

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A fast-track court in 2012 sentenced the accused to death, considering him a habitual offender and stating that the horrific rape contributed to the victim’s death. The court noted that the nature of the crime was savage and had shocked the conscience of society.

But the legal battle did not end there. In 2016, the Supreme Court overturned the murder conviction, saying there wasn’t enough evidence to confirm that the injuries leading to Soumya’s death were caused by Govindachamy pushing her from the train. The court, nonetheless, upheld the life sentence for rape, maintaining that his actions were undeniably barbaric.

To this day, the Soumya case remains one of Kerala’s most disturbing crimes and a rallying point for women’s safety in public transport.

How did Govindchamy escape the Kannur prison?

According to the police, Govindachamy’s disappearance came to light during an inspection of his cell in the early hours of Friday.

According to police and media reports, jail staff realised something was wrong when he didn’t respond during routine checks. CCTV footage later revealed that he had escaped sometime around 1 am.

Reports by PTI and Mathrubhumi suggest that Govindachamy, who was lodged in Block 10, managed to cut through a wire mesh in his cell. He then used a rope made out of clothes to climb over the prison’s massive wall, around 7.5 metres high and topped with electric fencing.

The fact that he pulled this off despite having only one arm has raised serious questions.

Sumathy, Soumya’s mother, expressed shock over the escape and questioned how such a lapse could happen. “Kannur jail is huge. How can he jump and escape from there? He can’t do that without support. It’s impossible. Someone inside is helping him. He has only one arm and the wall is huge. He should be caught immediately. I don’t think he would have left Kannur yet,” she told India Today.

Kannur: 2011 Soumya rape and murder accused Govindachamy escapes from Kannur Central Jail.

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

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025

Kannur SP Nidhinraj P Raj also said that police are investigating whether anyone from inside the jail helped him escape. “It is found that he was planning the escape for the last few days,” he said.

How was Govindachamy caught after the jailbreak?

Govindachamy’s escape from Kannur Central Jail triggered a large-scale manhunt across Kerala. Checkpoints were alerted, and police stepped up surveillance at railway stations, bus stands, and state borders. According to Manorama, the authorities managed to trace him within hours in Kannur itself.

A key lead came from a local resident named Vinoj, who spotted a man dressed in black pants and a shirt near the DCC office at Talap. He tipped off the police, and CCTV footage confirmed that the man seen in the area was indeed Govindachamy, reported The Hindu.

A dog squad also picked up his scent, leading the search team to the same location. Soon, a large police team began combing the area.

When he saw the police closing in, Govindachamy reportedly tried to hide inside a nearby well. However, he was quickly caught and taken into custody. He was then brought to the Kannur Town Police Station for questioning.

Govindachamy nabbed. He was hiding in a well in a deserted house premises pic.twitter.com/q0O9MegEc8

— Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) July 25, 2025

Govindchamy’s escape raises questions about prison security

With over 1,000 inmates and high walls topped with electric fencing, the Kannur Central Jail is supposed to be one of Kerala’s most secure prisons. But Govindachamy’s escape has left authorities red-faced, sparking outrage and calls for accountability.

BJP state president K Surendran alleged serious lapses and even suggested the possibility of inside help.

“The notorious criminal escaped at 1 am. The prison authorities found out about it at 5 am. The police were informed at 7 am. The wall had electric fencing, and yet the electricity was turned off when he escaped. Everything is a mystery. Did he escape, or was he helped to flee?” Surendran asked.

He also pointed out that CPI(M) leader P Jayarajan and the local MLA from Thrikaripur are part of the prison’s advisory committee.

Following the incident, the Kerala Prisons Department has reportedly ordered a state-wide audit of prison security, including checks on lighting and surveillance systems, as per The Hindu.

An official told the paper that the investigation would also look into whether night wardens were doing proper rounds, and whether surprise cell checks were being carried out or had become too predictable.

With input from agencies