Govindachamy’s jailbreak: Kerala Prisons DIG flags security lapse, 4 officials to be suspended

Kannur: A preliminary probe by Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (North Zone) into the jail break of rape convict Govindachamy has revealed lapses on the part of prison officials. 

Four prison officials, Assistant jail superintendent Rejo, Deputy Prison officer Rejish, Assistant Prison officers Sanjay and Farith, who were on duty, have been found at fault, said DIG V Jayakumar. They will be placed under suspension, he said. Balram Kumar Upadhyay, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services (DGP), has ordered a probe. 

The Prisons DGP said that Govindachamy executed the jailbreak with proper planning. "We suspect that someone helped him. A detailed investigation will be conducted. Lapses in night inspections and CCTV monitoring will be probed thoroughly,” he said. The electric fencing at the jail was under repair.

Kannur town police have registered a case over the prison break. Upadhyay appreciated the Kannur police for nabbing the culprit within four hours. “Proper coordination between the local police and jail officials helped trace the culprit. The media and residents also played major roles,” he said.

Govindachamy(41), who escaped from Kannur Jail, was found hiding inside a well in an abandoned plot at Thalappu. He was spotted during a joint search operation conducted by the police, dog squad, and residents.