The night of Oct. 26, 2026, 17 remand prisoners staged a fake medical emergency and overpowered guards at the Thekkampatti sub‑jail in Theni district.
Police launched a drone‑assisted search across the surrounding hills, and within hours recaptured every escapee, some hiding in thickets.
On Oct. 30, Vijay signed a suspension order under the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, citing Ramalingam’s complete failure to supervise inmates and staff. R Krishnaraj, former superintendent of Madurai Central Prison, was transferred to Salem Central Prison to lead a security overhaul.
The jailbreak came after a second escape this year, prompting a state‑wide audit of jail security protocols. Sandeep Rai Rathore, Director General of Police (Prisons), was moved to TANGEDCO as CVO, and K Shankar was appointed ADGP of Prisons and Correctional Services.
A meeting of the Prisons Department's senior leadership is set for Nov. 5 to implement new safeguards and review the effectiveness of the recent reshuffle.