Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered a comprehensive special investigation into the escape of notorious criminal Govindachamy from Kannur Central Jail, where he was serving a life sentence. This probe will run in parallel with ongoing police and departmental investigations.

The high-level decision was taken during an emergency meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, following the alarming incident. Former Kerala High Court Judge Justice CN Ramachandran Nair and former State Police Chief Jacob Punnoose have been appointed to lead the special investigation.

Present at the meeting were Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak, State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar, Home Additional Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha, PWD Secretary K Biju, Prisons Chief Balram Kumar Upadhyay, and Additional DGP (Intelligence) P Vijayan.

Steps to be taken

Describing the jailbreak as "extremely serious", the Chief Minister called for a thorough inquiry and decisive action. As part of immediate reforms, it was decided that electric fencing will be made fully operational at the state’s four major prisons within the next three months. In addition, intelligent CCTV systems capable of capturing micro-level visuals will be installed at these facilities, with work commencing immediately.

To tackle complacency and potential collusion, prison staff who have served more than five years in a single location will be transferred. Intelligence gathering inside prisons is also set to be intensified.

Acknowledging the need to manage high-risk convicts more effectively, the government will explore interstate jail transfers. Most of Kerala’s hardened criminals are currently held in high-security facilities.

Efforts will also be made to improve existing video conferencing capabilities to minimise prisoner movements, while simultaneously enhancing the amenities available to inmates.

In light of growing concerns about overcrowding, plans are underway to establish a new central jail. The government will begin the search for suitable land in the Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts.

The Chief Minister has directed that all ongoing investigations into the escape be concluded swiftly and with utmost seriousness.