Theni jailbreak: Efforts are on to nab escaped prisoners who are still absconding, says T.N. Law Minister Nirmal Kumar

Tamil Nadu Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar. File | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, speaking to reporters in Coimbatore on Tuesday (October 27, 2026), said efforts are under way to nab 13 of the 17 prisoners who escaped from District Jail at Thekkampatti in Theni district the previous night.

Commenting on the jailbreak in which 17 remand prisoners escaped from the prison after they allegedly assaulted three prison guards, the Minister said four of them had been arrested and efforts were under way to trace and apprehend the remaining 13 prisoners.

Checks have been intensified at checkpoints including those along the Kerala border and in forest areas. Director-General of Prisons and Correctional Services Sandeep Rai Rathore and the Inspector-General of Police are inspecting in person to ascertain whether there had been any security lapses, the Minister added.

On Anbil Mahesh arrest

Further, responding to former Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin’s allegation that the arrest of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was an act of political vendetta, the Minister rejected the claims. He said the investigation into the allegations against Mr. Poyyamozhi would proceed according to law.

Mr. Nirmal Kumar alleged that more than ₹400 crores had been collected from schools in the name of ‘party funds’ through a certificate related to school safety during Mr. Poyyamozhi’s tenure

He also accused the DMK of threatening educational institutions into making payments. He claimed that schools run by non-governmental organisations, Christian missionary groups and trusts had also faced pressure and said more institutions were now coming forward to lodge complaints.

Referring to remark — “they should have finished him off in Karur that very day” — allegedly made by Mr. Poyyamozhi’s supporters outside the court in Chennai, the Minister alleged that the statement raised questions about possible prior planning in connection with the 2025 Karur stampede.

Coimbatore student Akilan’s suicide

On the death of Coimbatore school student A. Akilan by suicide, he said the police had been given a free hand to investigate the case and that there would be no political pressure. He said anyone found to have committed a crime would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

On rooftop solar installations, Mr. Nirmal Kumar said Tamil Nadu had installed 87,000 systems by April and had received more than 27,000 applications in the subsequent five months. The government aimed to install rooftop solar systems in one lakh houses by March (2027), with around 10,000 applications already processed.

He also said the government was reviewing fixed electricity charges and would announce the outcome of its assessment within a week. Long-term power purchase agreements for more than 4,000 MW were planned, subject to approval from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)

Published - October 27, 2026 12:51 pm IST