The Tamil Nadu administration announced that DGP Prisons Sandeep Rai Rathore will take charge of TANGEDCO as Chief Vigilance Officer, effective Monday.
The decision follows a daring breakout at Thekkampatti sub‑jail in Theni district, where 17 under‑trials used a staged medical emergency to overpower guards.
Police recovered the escapees after 43 hours, and the state has now authorised firearms for prison staff to curb future escape attempts.
Kumar Shankar, former Additional DG of Enforcement Bureau CID, will assume Rathore’s role as DG Prisons, while the state plans to move the inmates to high‑security facilities in Salem, Vellore, Cuddalore and Puzhal.
A local guard who was on duty during the incident said he felt "relieved" after the swift recapture, highlighting the urgency of the new security measures.