Chennai, October 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
An undertrial prisoner escaped from police custody while being escorted into Coimbatore Central Prison late Friday night, triggering fresh criticism of Tamil Nadu’s prison security arrangements following similar incidents in Chennai and Theni.
The prisoner, identified as Raghavan, had been arrested by Annur police in a robbery case and remanded to judicial custody by a local court.
Police brought him to the Coimbatore prison complex to complete the admission formalities. He allegedly escaped while being escorted between the prison’s two main security gates. His handcuffs were reportedly removed as officers moved him from the outer entrance towards the inner gate.
Raghavan allegedly seized the opportunity to break away from the escorting personnel and flee.
Race Course police have registered a case and launched a search operation to trace him.
The incident has raised questions about security procedures during the transfer of prisoners from police custody to prison authorities. It was reportedly Raghavan’s second attempt to evade custody. He had earlier escaped while being arrested in Annur but was caught shortly afterwards.
The latest incident follows prisoner escapes at Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai and Thekkampatti Sub-Jail in Theni, prompting opposition leaders to demand accountability and stronger security measures across the state’s prisons.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the repeated incidents and blamed negligence by security personnel for the Coimbatore escape. Describing such incidents as unacceptable, he demanded strict action against officials responsible for security lapses.
Ramadoss also called for stronger security arrangements at prisons across Tamil Nadu, citing the incidents in Chennai and Theni as evidence of the need for corrective measures.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami also criticised the government in a post on X, comparing the repeated prisoner escapes to a television serial. He alleged that the administration had failed to prevent such incidents despite assurances of improved security.
Palaniswami questioned the effectiveness of official warnings, pointing out that the Coimbatore escape took place just hours after the Chief Minister cautioned prison personnel against negligence.
The opposition criticism has focused on whether repeated warnings and assurances are translating into effective security safeguards. While Ramadoss demanded disciplinary action against those responsible, both leaders called for measures to prevent further escapes across the state.
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