CHENNAI: The chief spokesperson of the Tamil Nadu unit of BJP, Narayanan Thirupathy, described it as a "humiliating failure" of the TVK government after undertrial prisoners escaped from Theni sub-jail.
In one of Tamil Nadu's largest prison escapes, 17 undertrials escaped from a sub-jail in Theni on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. Police arrested four of them during an overnight combing operation.
In a post shared on X, Thirupathy criticised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s administration over the jailbreak, which took place on the night of October 26–27. He alleged that the escape exposed serious lapses in security and questioned how a group of inmates managed to overpower prison staff and flee.
"The Theni jailbreak is a humiliating failure of the TVK @TVKPartyHQ government and a direct indictment of @CMOTamilnadu, C. Joseph Vijay’s @TVKVijayHQ administration. Seventeen undertrial prisoners escaped from the Theni (Thekkampatti) sub-jail on the night of 26–27 October 2026 after the most basic of ruses. All were held in one cell. While one faked a seizure, the rest waited. Staff opened the door and were attacked as the inmates walked out...," he said.
Thirupathy held the state government responsible for the incident and questioned the authorities' response, alleging that the action taken so far was inadequate while several escapees remained at large.
"This was not a high-risk breakout. It was a crude fraud that succeeded because prison security under the TVK government is in a state of collapse. Packing so many remand prisoners together, failing to verify a medical claim before opening a cell, and allowing an entire group to overpower staff and exit is nothing but the incompetence, mismanagement and maladministration of the TVK Government," he said.
He also called for immediate recapture of the escaped prisoners and accountability for officers whose alleged negligence led to the security breach.
“The injured staff must be protected and supported. The remaining fugitives must be recaptured immediately. More critically, the officers whose negligence made this possible must face consequences, and the TVK government must explain how a sub-jail could be breached so easily months after it took charge. Photo-op inspections and empty assurances by the concerned minister will not suffice. Until the TVK government demonstrates basic competence in the one duty every administration is expected to perform, this jailbreak will stand as clear evidence of its failure on law and order,” Thirupathy said.
Meanwhile, a massive manhunt is underway across southern India. Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Vijayendra Bidari confirmed on Tuesday that four escapees have been arrested during combing operations. He said police have formed 17 special teams to trace the remaining prisoners.
According to police, the escape unfolded when jail staff responded to information that an inmate in a shared cell was unwell. As soon as the door was opened, the inmates allegedly attacked the personnel and fled.
Three prison personnel were injured. Grade II Police personnel Thangapandi suffered a head injury and was admitted to the Government Hospital at G Vilakku, while two others sustained minor injuries.
Police have registered a case, and an investigation into the security lapse is underway.
(With inputs from ANI)