Vijay Takes Action After Theni Jailbreak, Suspends Deputy Jail Superintendent and Orders Staff Transfers

Theni Jailbreak: Vijay Suspends Deputy Superintendent, 17 Prison Staff Face Action

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has ordered disciplinary action against prison officials and a major reshuffle of personnel following the escape of 17 inmates from Theni district prison. The deputy jail superintendent has been suspended, while 17 other staff members have also been placed under suspension.

Deputy Jail Superintendent N Ramalingam, who had been posted at the Theni facility since August 2024, was dismissed from service over alleged failures in prison administration and security monitoring, news agency ANI reported on Saturday. The government has also ordered a departmental inquiry into the conduct of the personnel facing action.

Vijay has directed prison authorities to put in place foolproof security arrangements and strengthen surveillance across correctional facilities in Tamil Nadu.

All 17 inmates who escaped from Theni prison have been recaptured. Police are taking steps to shift them to high-security prisons in different parts of the state, PTI reported on Thursday.

The incident followed another escape from Puzhal Central Prison near Chennai, where two convicts fled on October 20. They were arrested after a two-day search operation involving seven police teams.

The two jailbreaks, occurring within a week, prompted the state government to initiate a wider review of prison security. On Thursday, the government transferred Dr Sandeep Rai Rathore, Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services).

Fake medical emergency used to escape
The 17 inmates reportedly escaped from Theni prison on Monday night after staging a medical emergency. They pretended that one of them was experiencing an epileptic seizure, prompting a prison guard to open their cell.

According to PTI, the inmates overpowered and assaulted the guard before taking the keys to the prison’s main entrance. They then unlocked the gate and fled towards nearby forested areas.

The escapees reportedly travelled by motorcycle from the Aranjanaipudur area towards Uthamapalayam. In Ammachipuram, they borrowed a phone from a local resident to contact an associate, who allegedly arranged money, clothes and vehicles for them.

Multiple police units deployed in search operation
Authorities launched an extensive operation to locate the fugitives, involving 17 specialised police teams, five special task force units and four Tamil Nadu Special Police battalions.

Specialised drones were also deployed during daylight hours to scan dense forest stretches and identify possible hiding places.

Five inmates were arrested and produced before a judicial magistrate on Tuesday evening. They were remanded to judicial custody until November 10. Eight others were caught and presented before a court on Wednesday, which remanded them until November 11. The remaining prisoners were produced before the court on Thursday.

After the jailbreak, Tamil Nadu minister R Nirmal Kumar admitted that there had been “procedural lapses” and announced plans to improve prison security, including by strengthening CCTV surveillance, PTI reported.