Seventeen inmates escaped from Theni sub-jail in Tamil Nadu on Monday after attacking jail staff, and police later recaptured one during combing operations. The breakout triggered checkpoints, special teams and alerts across neighbouring districts.

How the escape unfolded

Police said all 17 prisoners were held in the same cell. Theni police gave one account saying some inmates feigned seizures to draw staff in. Another police account said officers entered the cell after being told one prisoner was unwell.

The inmates then attacked staff and fled. Police identified the escapees as Lingam, Raja Singandhar, Karuppasamy, Silambarasan, Thirupathi, Menjisundaram, Sabari, Pon Muthu, Nijanth, Karthik Raja, Mugilan, Selva, Tarun, Rajkumar, Praveen, Muthu Ilango and Rajuveen. Authorities have not said which of them has been recaptured.

Officials have not disclosed the offences for which the inmates were jailed or the guard’s condition after he was admitted to hospital.

A widening manhunt

Inspector General of Police Vijayendra Bidari said one escaped inmate was arrested during combing operations. Police formed 17 special teams to track down the escapees and intensified vehicle checks across the region.

In Dindigul district, which borders Theni, officers set up checkpoints at 16 locations. Police also stepped up surveillance in Villupuram, where they believe several of the fugitives are from and may try to return. Information and photographs of the escapees were circulated to police in Idukki, Madurai and Dindigul.

Questions over jail security

Theni district superintendent of police KS Praveen Gowtham inspected the jail after the escape. Kandamanur police registered a case, and senior police and prison officials began examining possible security lapses and the sequence of events leading to the breakout.

Gr. II police officer Thangapandi, attached to the Theni district jail, suffered a head injury and was admitted to Government Hospital at G Vilakku. Two other jail police personnel suffered minor injuries as the search continued.