Suspect Captured After Escaping Police Custody Twice in 24 Hours

Coimbatore, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : Coimbatore police apprehended a 25-year-old suspect on Tuesday after he escaped from custody twice within 24 hours. The suspect, identified as Raghavan, was captured in the Satyamangalam forest area of Erode district.

Authorities are questioning Raghavan to determine how he managed to evade security and reach the forest after fleeing from the Coimbatore Central Jail. Investigators are exploring whether he received any assistance during his escape and subsequent activities. His statement has been recorded, and further inquiries are ongoing.

Raghavan was located using drone surveillance by a special police team, which conducted a nighttime operation to arrest him. Following his escape, police formed six special teams to search for him, extending their efforts across Erode, Nilgiri districts, and into neighboring Karnataka and Kerala.

Upon receiving reports that Raghavan was hiding in the Satyamangalam forest, police intensified their surveillance and deployed drone cameras to track his whereabouts. The search teams surrounded the area and successfully apprehended him.

Raghavan, a resident of the Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation center in Bhavanisagar, Erode, has a lengthy criminal record, including charges of robbery and theft. He has a history of escaping police custody, having previously fled while being transported to Bengaluru in June 2026. After his arrest on October 30, he escaped from the Annur police station that same evening. Although police quickly pursued him, he managed to evade capture again.

Later that night, four police officers, including a sub-inspector, attempted to transport him back to Coimbatore Central Jail. During this transfer, Raghavan attacked the officers and fled once more, prompting significant concern over security protocols.

In the wake of these incidents, authorities suspended the four officers for negligence, and a separate case has been filed regarding the escape. Investigators are examining the circumstances that allowed Raghavan to repeatedly escape police custody despite being under surveillance. Once the inquiries are complete, he is expected to be presented before the relevant court, with plans for enhanced security measures to prevent future escapes.