Two Escaped Puzhal Prisoners, Including Nepali National, Recaptured, Seven Staff Suspended

Two inmates who escaped from Chennai's Puzhal Central Prison in separate incidents earlier this week have been recaptured, while seven prison personnel have been suspended for negligence, police said on Thursday.

Director General of Police (Prisons) Sandeep Rai Rathore inspected the prison following the escapes and ordered officials to strengthen security measures across the complex. In the first incident, Sudeep Bogati (21), a Nepali national, escaped from the high-security facility on Tuesday. He had been arrested in a theft case on August 16 and lodged in the prison.

According to officials, Bogati climbed the prison wall using cables embedded for solar power generation. He sustained minor injuries after jumping outside and briefly lay unconscious before fleeing the area. In the second incident on Wednesday, Suresh (41), a convict under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, escaped while working at the prison canteen within the jail complex.

Suresh, a resident of Thirumangalam, was arrested in 2021. Owing to his conduct, he had been assigned daily duties at the prison bazaar outside the main jail premises. He reportedly escaped around 7 am when guards were distracted.

Special police teams were formed to trace both fugitives and launched searches based on available leads. One team located Bogati at a tea stall in Thirumangalam and apprehended him on Thursday morning. The other team tracked down Suresh and arrested him in Kundrathur.

Following interrogation, both inmates were lodged back in Puzhal prison, officials said. Rathore visited the facility on Thursday and conducted an on-site inquiry into the security lapses. He directed officials to take steps to prevent similar incidents and ensure tighter monitoring of prisoners.

Following an internal departmental inquiry, seven prison personnel were suspended for alleged negligence and dereliction of duty. Those suspended include Assistant Jailer Jyothiraman, Head Warder Alex Krishnaraj, Chief Warder Kannadasan and four other warders. The inquiry examined the circumstances surrounding the escapes and the lapses that enabled the inmates to flee the prison complex.