Raghavan Escapes Police Custody at Coimbatore Prison

Raghavan escaped from police custody at the entrance to Coimbatore Central Prison early October 31, prompting a search and the suspension of four police personnel assigned to escort him, police said. Police said Raghavan, also known as Kozhikaran, was brought to the prison after a court appearance and remanded to judicial custody. At about 12:40 a.m., as he was being escorted between the facility’s first and second gates for admission, his handcuffs were removed. Police said he pushed the personnel accompanying him and fled. Coimbatore city police launched a search for Raghavan after the escape. Four officers responsible for his escort were suspended for negligence, according to reports citing police. One account said the search included drone surveillance, CCTV analysis and vehicle checks, with neighbouring police units alerted. Raghavan’s escape followed two earlier escapes reported within the preceding 24 hours. He had been arrested again on October 30 after a previous escape from custody while being moved to Bengaluru in June. After his arrest, he briefly escaped from the Annur police station on October 30 and was caught again, according to police accounts. The escape from...