Kerala jailbreak: Soumya rape-murder convict Govindachamy escapes from Kannur prison

Soumya rape-murder convict Govindachamy

Govindachamy, a convict serving a life sentence in the sensational 2011 Soumya murder case, has escaped from the high-security Kannur Central Jail, police said on Friday.

The disappearance came to light during an inspection of his cell in the early hours of Friday, they said.

Jail authorities launched an immediate search operation in and around the prison premises, but the inmate was nowhere to be found. Police have been alerted and a manhunt is underway.

Kannur: 2011 Soumya rape and murder accused Govindachamy escapes from Kannur Central Jail.

Govindachamy was serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of 23-year-old Soumya, who was attacked while travelling on a passenger train from Ernakulam to Shoranur on February 1,… https://t.co/ccjOfbU5FCpic.twitter.com/Gz3jTdNySr — ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2025

Kannur Town Police said they were informed about the jailbreak at 7 am. Soumya, a 23-year-old woman from Manjakkad near Shornur, was raped and murdered allegedly by Govindachamy while travelling on a passenger train from Ernakulam to Shornur on 1 February 2011.

Govindachamy was convicted of the brutal killing of Soumya, who was attacked while travelling alone on a passenger train.

The case shocked the nation and sparked widespread debate over women’s safety on public transport.