Published Oct 27, 2026 | 7:06 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 27, 2026 | 7:59 AM
Police have launched a search operation across Theni district.
Synopsis: Seventeen prisoners escaped from the Theni district jail in Tamil Nadu on Monday night, 26 October, after allegedly assaulting prison personnel and fleeing with the cell keys; three personnel were injured. Police have arrested four escapees and formed special teams to trace the others. Police in Madurai and Dindigul districts in Tamil Nadu and Idukki district in Kerala have also been alerted.
At least 17 prisoners escaped from the Theni district jail at Thekkampatti, near Andipatti in Tamil Nadu, on Monday night, 26 October, after allegedly assaulting prison personnel.
Police formed special teams to trace the escapees. Four of them have been arrested so far, Inspector General of Police (IGP), South Zone, Vijayendra Bidari, told ANI.
All 17 inmates were lodged in the same cell and hail from Madurai and Theni districts, police said. The incident occurred when prison personnel entered the cell after one of the inmates allegedly pretended to suffer an epileptic seizure. The other prisoners attacked the personnel and escaped with the cell keys, police said.
Three prison personnel sustained injuries in the attack, including one who suffered a head injury.
Police have launched a search operation across Theni district. Neighbouring Madurai and Dindigul districts in Tamil Nadu and Idukki district in Kerala have also been placed on high alert. Check posts have been set up at 16 locations in Dindigul district to prevent the escapees from crossing into the area.
Authorities have begun counting the remaining inmates to establish the number of prisoners who escaped.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
