KANNUR: Govindachamy, the convict in the Soumya rape and murder case, escaped from Kannur Central Prison early on Friday. The incident took place around 1.15 a.m. in the high-security block of the jail.

According to prison officials, Govindachamy was kept alone in a high-security cell at the 10th block. He reportedly cut through the iron bars of the cell and used clothes from the wash area to tie together as a rope to climb down from the prison wall.

CCTV footage shows that he received help from outside. However, jail staff only noticed his absence during the morning rounds around 5 am. A search inside the prison was carried out but he could not be found. Authorities confirmed he had been missing for several hours.

The prison officially informed the police at 7 am, and a full search operation was launched.

Later, prison officials shared detailed information about Govindachamy. He is 41 years old, unmarried, and a native of Ivathagudy near Karur in Tamil Nadu, under the Veppur police station limits. He has a criminal background and is considered a repeat offender.

Govindachamy’s left hand is amputated. He has a mark on his right cheek and a bruise on the left. He had recently cut his hair. He was listed as inmate number 33 and had been in prison since 2011.

The public is requested to contact 9446899506 if they have any information about his whereabouts.

Govindachamy was convicted for the murder of Soumya, who was attacked while travelling on a train from Ernakulam to Shoranur on February 1, 2011. He pushed her out of the train, raped her, and she later died from her injuries at Thrissur Medical College on February 6, 2011.