Days after Theni jailbreak, Tamil Nadu Prisons DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore transferred

Sandeep Rai Rathore. File | Photo Credit: R. Ravindran

A couple of days after the sensational jailbreak in Theni district where 17 prisoners escaped and were later recaptured, the Tamil Nadu government, on Thursday (October 29, 2026) transferred out the Director-General of Police, Prisons, Sandeep Rai Rathore.

He has been posted as DGP, EB, Vigilance, Chennai. Replacing Mr. Rathore, K. Shankar, ADGP, Enforcement Bureau CID, has been posted as the ADGP, Prisons and Correctional Services. 

Three days ago, 17 remand prisoners who were lodged at the Thekkampatti sub-jail near Andipatti in Theni district escaped late night on Monday (October 26, 2026) after claiming that that one of the inmates suffered epileptic seizures and required assistance. When a jail warder opened the cell, they overpowered him and escaped after attacking other prison warders too.

Special teams that were formed to track the escapees nabbed 13 of them on Tuesday (October 27) and the remaining four on Wednesday (October 28).

Following the incident, on Tuesday, nine guards were suspended and Mr. Rathore visited the Theni prison premises. He had said human error led to escape of prisoners. A detailed inquiry into the lapses and circumstances that led to the jailbreak was ordered.

On Wednesday, Mr. Rathore had said all watchtowers in district jails across Tamil Nadu will now have armed prison warders, who have been authorised to open fire when under attack or to prevent a jailbreak.

Published - October 29, 2026 04:24 pm IST