Thrissur: The city police have intensified the search after a notorious criminal, Balamurugan, an accused in over 40 theft cases in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, escaped from the Viyyur Central Jail premises on Monday night. He was convicted for a theft registered at Marayur police station, Idukki and was imprisoned at Viyyur.

Balamurugan was taken to Virudhunagar in connection with another case by the Tamil Nadu Police two days ago. He was brought back to Viyyur, and when Balamurugan requested to use the loo, the officers briefly removed his handcuffs. He then bolted through a nearby vegetable garden towards the main road and vanished. He was reportedly wearing a black shirt and a white dhoti at the time of the escape.

Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh, District Police Chief, Thrissur, told Onmanorama that police suspect he may have left for his home town in Virudhunagar. "We have collected the CCTV footage and are examining the visuals. He has one conviction in Kerala for a theft case, and the remaining cases are in Tamil Nadu," said Deshmukh.

K Anilkumar, Superintendent, Central Prison & Correctional Home, Viyyur, said that Balamurugan was housed under strict surveillance in the prison."Given his notorious background, he was placed under continuous surveillance; he was not let out of his cell at daybreak, unlike other prisoners who are allowed out of their cells occasionally within the compound. He hasn't made any attempts at escaping from the prison before," he said.

Balamurugan is a repeat offender who had previously escaped from Tamil Nadu Police custody by jumping off a moving bus before being recaptured. Investigators suspect he may attempt to steal a two-wheeler to aid his getaway. Teams from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu Police are coordinating the search.

Meanwhile, Kerala Police have begun verifying the circumstances surrounding the escape. Statements have been recorded from the Tamil Nadu Police officers who were escorting Balamurugan at the time. According to their account, the officers had purchased food for him from Alathur, after which he was not handcuffed. Upon reaching the Viyyur jail compound, the vehicle was stopped so he could use the restroom. Only one officer stepped out with him, and it was at this moment that Balamurugan ran toward the jail compound and escaped.

Despite an immediate search, the officers failed to trace him and subsequently alerted the local police. CCTV footage of the Tamil Nadu Police vehicle has been collected, and investigators are reviewing the timeline of events to determine how the escape occurred. Police sources said a detailed inquiry is underway to identify any procedural lapses that may have enabled the prisoner’s escape.