Soumya rape-murder case: Convict Govindachami recaptured hours after escape from Kannur Central jail
In 2012, a special court in Thrissur sentenced him to death, a verdict upheld by the Kerala High Court. However, in 2016, the Supreme Court of India commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment, citing insufficient evidence to prove intent to murder.
In a dramatic turn of events, Govindachami, the convict serving a life sentence for the 2011 rape and murder of 23-year-old Soumya, was recaptured just hours after escaping from Kannur Central Jail on Friday morning. The escape and swift rearrest have reignited concerns over prison security in Kerala.
Govindachami, also known as Charley Thomas, was found missing from his high-security prison cell around 7:15 AM during a routine inspection. According to initial reports, he had managed to cut through the iron bars of his cell and flee. Authorities immediately launched a statewide manhunt and released a wanted poster with his photo, urging the public to report any sightings. Notably, the poster highlighted a key physical detail: Govindachami has only one arm.
The fugitive was tracked down and arrested within a few hours of his escape. The details of the location and manner of his capture have not yet been fully disclosed by police, who continue to investigate the circumstances of the jailbreak.
A case that shocked the nation
Govindachami was convicted in one of Kerala's most disturbing crimes — the rape and death of Soumya, a young woman who was assaulted while traveling alone on a passenger train from Ernakulam to Shoranur on February 1, 2011. The case sparked national outrage and led to fast-tracked legal proceedings.
In 2012, a special court in Thrissur sentenced him to death, a verdict upheld by the Kerala High Court. However, in 2016, the Supreme Court of India commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment, citing insufficient evidence to prove intent to murder. While the murder conviction was overturned, the rape conviction stood.
Serial offender with a violent past
A native of Virudachalam in Tamil Nadu, Govindachami had a long history of theft and robbery, primarily around the Salem region. He was already facing multiple criminal charges when Kerala Police arrested him for the Soumya case in 2011.
Serious security lapses
The jailbreak from one of Kerala’s most secure prison facilities has prompted serious questions about the effectiveness of security protocols. An internal investigation has been launched to determine how a high-risk convict managed to escape undetected from a high-security cell.
Officials are now reviewing security measures at Kannur Central Jail and other key facilities across the state to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Govindachami’s swift rearrest has brought temporary relief to authorities and the public alike, but the incident underscores the pressing need for tighter prison surveillance and infrastructure upgrades to ensure that such dangerous criminals remain behind bars.