Govindachamy, a convict serving a life sentence for the 2011 Soumya rape and murder case, has escaped from the high-security Kannur Central Jail in Kerala, as confirmed by police on Friday.

The escape was discovered during a routine inspection of his cell in the early morning hours. Jail officials promptly initiated a search operation within and around the prison grounds, but the inmate was not located. The Kannur Town Police reported that they were notified of the escape at 7 am. A manhunt is currently in progress.

Soumya, a 23-year-old woman from Manjakkad near Shornur, was raped and murdered while traveling alone on a passenger train from Ernakulam to Shoranur on February 1, 2011.

Authorities have yet to determine how he managed to flee.

Sumathy, Soumya’s mother, expressed her disbelief regarding the escape and questioned how such a security breach could occur. “Kannur jail is vast. How could he jump and escape from there? He cannot do that without assistance. It’s impossible. Someone inside must be aiding him. He has only one arm, and the wall is tall. He needs to be apprehended immediately. I doubt he has left Kannur yet,” she stated.

BJP state president K Surendran criticized the prison system for serious shortcomings and raised suspicions about whether the escape was orchestrated.

“The notorious criminal escaped at 1 am. The prison authorities discovered it at 5 am. The police were alerted at 7 am. There was electric fencing on the wall, which was turned off when he escaped. Everything is shrouded in mystery. Did he escape on his own or was he assisted in fleeing?” he questioned. Surendran also noted that CPI(M) leader P Jayarajan and the local MLA from Thrikaripur are part of the prison advisory committee.