The Great Escape from Theni Jail in Tamil Nadu

Seventeen accused escaped from Theni District Jail and were apprehended within 42 hours. | Photo credit: Karthikeyan G.

OOn the afternoon of October 26, Prasanth alias Linga Prasanth, a 25-year-old otherwise able-bodied remand prisoner in Theni District Jail Tamil Naduhe was frustrated. Although he was granted bail, he failed to get bail.

To comfort him, his friends began planning an escape. Investigators said Silambarasan, another remand inmate, suggested faking an epileptic seizure as part of the plan. After hours of discussion, all 17 inmates of Prasanth’s cell agreed to stage the drama. Around 10:30 p.m., several of them raised the alarm saying that one of them was having an epileptic seizure.

Published – 31 Oct 2026 05:50 IST