In a dramatic pre-dawn search operation that lasted over four hours, the police on Friday arrested Govindachamy, alias Govindaswamy, a convict in a 2011 rape-and-murder case, after he escaped from a high-security block of the Kannur Central Jail.

The escape and subsequent arrest have triggered widespread criticism, political outrage and calls for a systemic overhaul of prison security. Govindachamy was serving life sentence for raping a 23-year-old woman, whose death after being thrown from a moving train between Ernakulam and Shoranur had sparked protests. While the Supreme Court later commuted his death sentence for murder, it upheld the life sentence for rape, citing the gravity of the crime. He was lodged in the high security Block 10 of the prison.

The first signs of escape were noticed when the police found a makeshift rope, made out of pieces of clothing, dangling over the southern wall of the jail. According to the police, Govindachamy escaped from his cell around 1.15 a.m. and managed to slip out of the compound by 4.30 a.m. The Kannur Town police were informed of the escape around 6.30 a.m and two search squads were deployed. A dog squad led the search party to the vicinity of the District Congress Committee office in Talap, about 3 kilometres from the jail.

A tip-off from a local resident, Vinoj, who works in a private firm, and an auto driver, enabled the police to zero in on the fugitive. “He matched the description and looked suspicious. When we called his name, he ran and jumped into a nearby compound. We alerted the police immediately,” said Vinoj.

The arrest was made after M. Unnikrishnan, a staff at the National Sample Survey Office, spotted something unusual during his inspection of the office premises. “I had earlier checked the compound and even looked inside the well after hearing about the escape, but found nothing,” said Mr. Unnikrishnan. “Later, upon being told Govindachami was seen nearby, I checked again and saw someone hiding inside the well,” he said. Mr. Unnikrishnan said he was clinging to the rope inside the well. “He threatened me with dire consequences if I alerted anyone, but I immediately informed the police,” he added.

Govindachamy was soon taken into custody and brought to the Kannur Town Police station. After a medical check-up at the Government District Hospital, he was produced before the Judicial FIrst Class Magistrate Court, where he was remanded in 14 days’ custody in the Central Jail.

An internal probe has raised serious concerns over prison security. Jail sources confirmed that Govindachamy use an axe blade or similar metal, allegedly found on the prison premises, to cut the bars of his cell door. To conceal the damage, he tied the bars using ropes and strips of cloth, initially used to keep cats off the cell.

A remand prisoner who shared the cell reportedly could not provide much information about the incident. Authorities suspect that the escape was premediated. During inquiry, he reportedly said he had been planning the escape for a long time as he was tired of life in jail.

‘Well-planned escape’

Kannur District Police Chief P. Nidhinraj described the incident as a ‘well-planned escape.’ “He collected clothes from remand prisoners and from the premises to prepare the makeshift rope and chose a part of the compound wall near the water tank to scale,” Mr. Nidhinraj said.

On whether Govindachamy received inside help, he said no such information had emerged yet but did not rule out the possibility.

Following a preliminary probe by the Deputy Inspector General of Prison, four prison officials were suspended for negligence. They are Deputy Prison Officer Rejish A.K., Assistant Prison Officers Sanjay S. and Akhil Charith.