High-Level Administrative Shake-Up

In the wake of a brazen and meticulously planned jailbreak in Tamil Nadu's Theni district, the state government has executed a high-level administrative shake-up. Director General of Police (DGP) for Prisons and Correctional Services, Sandeep Rai Rathore, has been transferred from his post following the incident, which saw 17 undertrial prisoners briefly breach security before being rounded up.

According to an official order signed by Principal Secretary A. Karthik, Rathore has been reassigned as the Director General of Police and Chief Vigilance Officer for TANGEDCO in Chennai.

Stepping into his former role is K. Shankar, who previously served as the Additional Director General of Police for the Enforcement Bureau CID in Chennai. Shankar has now been appointed as the new Additional Director General of Police and head of Prisons and Correctional Services.

The Thekkampatti Jailbreak

The administrative action comes on the heels of a major security lapse at the Thekkampatti sub-jail in Theni district. On Monday night, 17 undertrial prisoners staged a fake medical emergency, ultimately overpowering prison guards and managing to flee the facility.

However, a massive and relentless manhunt launched by local law enforcement yielded rapid results. Swift police coordination and sweeping operations ensured that all 17 escapees were tracked down and brought back behind bars within 43 hours of the breakout.

Heightened Security Protocols

Following the major security breach, the Tamil Nadu prison department has moved swiftly to fortify correctional facilities across the state. Authorities have formally authorised prison personnel to use firearms if necessary to prevent any future escape attempts.

Additionally, steps have been initiated to relocate the recaptured prisoners from local holding facilities to high-security correctional institutions. Once remaining legal formalities are cleared, the inmates will be transferred to central prisons in Salem, Vellore, Cuddalore, and Puzhal, senior officials confirmed.