Seventeen remand prisoners escaped from the Thekkampatti sub-jail near Andipatti in Theni district on Monday night, October 26, 2026. The incident took place around 11 p.m., after the prisoners allegedly attacked the warders on duty and fled from the jail. The escape has triggered a major police search operation across several districts of Tamil Nadu.
Following the incident, police officials immediately issued an alert and increased security at checkpoints to prevent the escaped prisoners from leaving the area. Special police teams have been formed to trace and arrest those who remain at large. Senior police officials also visited the jail to inspect the scene and review the situation.
Inspector General of Police for the South Zone, Vijayendra Bidari, visited the sub-jail and held discussions with local officials about the incident. He also spoke with Theni Superintendent of Police Praveen Gowtham and other officers involved in the investigation. The police are examining the circumstances surrounding the escape and looking into possible security lapses.
According to the initial investigation, the prisoners had been locked inside a cell earlier that night. At around 10:30 p.m., some inmates reportedly told the warders that one of the prisoners was suffering from a seizure and needed medical assistance. When a warder opened the cell to help the prisoner, the other inmates allegedly attacked him. They then used the opportunity to escape from the sub-jail.
So far, four people have reportedly been arrested in connection with the case, including a person identified as Praveen Kumar. Police teams are continuing their search for the remaining escaped prisoners. Authorities are also gathering information about their movements and possible places where they could be hiding.
The escaped prisoners are reportedly from different parts of Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Salem and Villupuram districts. They were being held on remand in connection with various criminal cases. Police have increased vigilance in these areas and are coordinating efforts to locate the missing inmates.
The names of the 17 escaped prisoners have been identified as Lingam, Raja Sinkanthar, Karuppasamy, Silambarasan, Thirupathi, Maenchi Sundram, Sabari, Pon Muthu, Nijanth, Karthik Raja, Mugilan, Selva, Tharun, Rajkumar, Praveen, Muthu Ilango and Rajuveen.
The police have appealed to the public to share any information that could help locate the escaped prisoners. Anyone with relevant information is requested to contact the authorities at 9498101570 or 9176104100. People are advised not to approach the suspects themselves but to inform the police immediately.
The incident has raised serious questions about security arrangements at the sub-jail and the procedures followed when prisoners require medical assistance. Further investigation is underway to determine how the escape occurred, whether any additional individuals helped the prisoners, and what measures may be needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.