Tamil Nadu CM forms committee to probe prison security lapses
The high-level panel will investigate recent prisoner escapes and recommend measures to strengthen the state's prison security infrastructure.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered the formation of a high-level committee to investigate security failures in state prisons, according to reports by BusinessLine and Urban Acres.
The decision follows a review of the security situation after 17 prisoners escaped from Theni jail. The Chief Minister has directed that prison security be strengthened on a war footing and ordered strict action against officers found negligent in their duties.
The committee will be led by former Tamil Nadu Director General of Police JK Tripathy (IPS Retd) as Chairman. He will be joined by K Shankar (IPS), Additional Director General of Police and Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, and former Deputy Inspector General of Prisons S Rajendran (Retd).
The panel is tasked with examining the circumstances behind recent escapes, existing security architecture, technology gaps, and manpower deployment. It will also review standard operating procedures and assess if staffing levels are adequate for the workload.
The committee will study best practices used in other parts of India and abroad to prevent future occurrences. The government statement did not specify the exact security failures at Theni jail or identify specific officials for disciplinary action.
The high-level committee is expected to submit its report and recommendations to the government at the earliest.