He was found hiding in an abandoned house in Thalap. Alert locals who recognised him promptly informed the police.
Published Jul 25, 2025 | 12:08 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 25, 2025 | 2:11 PM
Govindachamy.
Synopsis: Govindachamy, the convict in the infamous Soumya murder case who escaped from Kannur Central Jail, was captured in Kannur. He had escaped from the high-security prison, raising serious questions about security lapses.
In a major breakthrough, Govindachamy, the convict in the infamous Soumya murder case who escaped from Kannur Central Jail, was captured in Kannur on Friday, 25 July. He had escaped from the high-security prison, raising serious questions about security lapses.
He was found hiding in an abandoned house in Thalap. Alert locals who recognised him promptly informed the police.
As officers arrived at the scene, Govindachamy attempted to flee and took refuge in a nearby well. Despite his efforts to evade capture, the police successfully apprehended him and took him into custody.
The arrest came just hours after prison authorities discovered his disappearance and launched an intensive search.
Govindachamy, originally from Tamil Nadu and known to have only one arm, had been serving a life sentence after the Supreme Court commuted his initial death penalty.
An intensive manhunt was launched across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to nab Govindachamy.
The escape from the high-security prison has stunned both authorities and the public, with officials struggling to piece together how a physically disabled inmate managed to escape. A large-scale search operation involving multiple police teams has been launched to locate him.
Govindachamy, who was in the 10th block of Jail, escaped by cutting the jail bars and climbing over the wall using a rope made from cloth. The jail officials are checking CCTV footage to find out how he escaped. They have also shared a new photo of him wearing a white shirt.
Govindachamy is a native of Virudachalam in Tamil Nadu and is also known as Charley Thomas. He also has other cases against him in Tamil Nadu, including theft. Meanwhile, an internal investigation is underway to identify potential lapses in jail surveillance and protocol.
His conviction stems from the brutal attack on Soumya, a young woman who was assaulted on a moving passenger train on 1 February 2011.
She had boarded the women’s compartment on a train from Ernakulam to Shoranur, where she was attacked by Govindachamy, who then reportedly threw her off the train and later raped her.
Soumya succumbed to her injuries on 6 February 2011 at the Thrissur Medical College Hospital. The Thrissur Fast Track Special Court sentenced Govindachamy to death on 11 November 2011. However, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence in September 2016.
Sumathi, the mother of Soumya, responded to the incident with deep concern. “I was terrified when I heard the news. If he had remained outside, how many more girls’ lives would have been at risk?”
She expressed her gratitude to those who acted swiftly to capture him, but also raised serious doubts.
“It’s suspicious, how could a man with a disability climb the high walls of a central jail on his own? If he isn’t moved to a more secure cell, there’s a real chance he could try to escape again. I strongly believe he had help from inside. A thorough and impartial investigation is absolutely necessary,” she said.
Meanwhile, four officials from Kannur Central Jail have been suspended pending a detailed investigation into the escape of convict Govindachamy. According to Jail Chief Balram Kumar Upadhyay, there were serious lapses in prison security that contributed to the incident.
The suspended officials include Assistant Superintendent Rijo, Deputy Prison Officer Rajeesh, and Assistant Prison Officers Sanjay and Akhil.
Upadhyay stated that Govindachamy’s escape was part of a well-planned move and acknowledged shortcomings from the jail staff.
While no individual is being directly blamed at this stage, he emphasised that it’s fortunate the convict was recaptured quickly. He also noted that the authorities were late in receiving information about the escape, which happened around 4.30 am on Sunday.
The jail premises were searched first, and although there was a delay in reporting the incident, the police managed to apprehend Govindachamy shortly thereafter. The Kannur Range DIG has been assigned to conduct a thorough investigation.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
