Govindachamy—known in Kerala for the 2011 rape and murder of 23‑year‑old Soumya and serving a life sentence—escaped from Kannur Central Jail, a facility considered high security. He is missing his left hand, which later helped in his identification.

Officials say the one‑armed convict scaled the 7.5‑metre wall using a makeshift rope crafted from knotted prison clothes and blankets, and reportedly cut through the iron bars of his cell. The electric fencing atop the wall may have been deactivated, raising serious concerns over security lapses.

His escape, which occurred between 4:15 am and 6:30 am, was noticed during a routine head‑count around 7:15 am, triggering a statewide manhunt.

Within six to ten hours, police traced him to an abandoned building near Kannur city limits, thanks to public tip‑offs and CCTV footage. Govindachamy attempted to evade arrest by hiding in a well, but was pulled out and recaptured by local authorities.

Authorities have formed a Special Investigation Team to probe how Govindachamy managed to break out of one of Kerala’s most fortified prisons.