Who shifted Govindachamy from D cell to B cell? Probe hits a dead end

Kannur: Even five months after the jail escape of Govindachamy that shocked Kerala, the investigation has made no headway. The special investigation team constituted on the Chief Minister’s directive has not submitted the report even after months having passed.

Govindachamy, who has only one arm, escaped from Kannur Central Jail in the early hours of July 24, 2025. He was later captured from a well at Thalappu, about three kilometres away, and shifted to the high-security Viyyur prison.

The jailbreak is being investigated by a special team comprising former Justice CN Ramachandran Nair and former DGP Jacob Punnose. Though the team was given three months to submit its report, it has taken the stand that more time is required to inspect all prisons.

The team visited Kannur Central Jail on August 19 to probe the circumstances under which Govindachamy escaped and to examine whether there were lapses on the part of jail officials. However, the team spent only about four hours inside the prison, collected information from officials, visited only the block where Govindachamy was lodged, and then left.

Complaint of lack of detailed probe

Prison staff had complained even then that no detailed investigation was conducted.

There are allegations that the team did not visit other blocks housing prisoners nor interact with inmates. Although staff urged the team to inspect all blocks and speak to prisoners, the investigators reportedly said that a written report from officials would suffice.

The next day, instead of visiting the jail, the team met a few officials at the Kannur guest house and then left.

Criticism has since emerged that despite being present in the area for two days, the team returned after preparing its report without inspecting the entire prison or interacting with prisoners and staff.

Back to square one

After four jail officials were suspended, the departmental inquiry has virtually come to a standstill. No further action or special inspection has been conducted, nor have measures to strengthen security inside or outside the jail been implemented.

Shifting of cell went unnoticed

Govindachamy was originally lodged in the highly guarded D cell of Block 10, the most secure cell of the Central Jail. However, three months prior to the jailbreak, he was shifted from the D cell to a B cell, described by jail authorities as a cell “without close surveillance.” It is reported that investigators have been unable to determine who ordered the transfer or why. The departmental inquiry has identified the cell shift as a serious lapse.