Coimbatore Prisoner Who Escaped Custody Twice Questioned for Second Consecutive Day

A 25-year-old remand prisoner who escaped from police custody twice within 24 hours before being arrested in the Sathyamangalam forest region of Tamil Nadu's Erode district was questioned by Coimbatore police for a second consecutive day on Tuesday.

The accused, Raghavan, also known as Kozikaran, is being interrogated by the Racecourse police to establish how he repeatedly evaded security personnel and reached the forest area after escaping from Coimbatore Central Prison.

Investigators are examining whether anyone assisted him during his escapes or subsequent movements. Police have recorded his statement and are continuing to question him to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Drone Surveillance Used to Track Accused

Raghavan was arrested during a night-time operation after a special police team located his hideout with the help of drone surveillance.

Following his escape, six special teams were formed to trace him. The search operation covered parts of Erode and the Nilgiris districts, as well as neighbouring Karnataka and Kerala.

After receiving intelligence that he was hiding in the Sathyamangalam forest region, police intensified surveillance and deployed drones to identify his location. The team subsequently surrounded the area and took him into custody.

Raghavan, a resident of the Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation Centre at Bhavanisagar in Erode district, is facing several criminal cases, including robbery and theft. He also has a history of escaping from police custody.

Two Escapes Within 24 Hours

In June 2026, Raghavan reportedly escaped while being transported to Bengaluru. He was arrested again on October 30 but allegedly fled from Annur Police Station later that evening. Police personnel pursued him and managed to apprehend him.

Later that night, four police personnel, including a sub-inspector, escorted him to Coimbatore Central Prison after he was remanded to judicial custody.

However, while being taken into the prison premises, Raghavan allegedly assaulted the personnel accompanying him and escaped again, triggering a major security alert.

The incident led to the suspension of all four escorting personnel over alleged negligence. A separate case was also registered in connection with the escape.

Security Lapses Under Investigation

Investigators are examining how Raghavan managed to escape repeatedly despite being under police supervision.

Police are expected to produce him before the jurisdictional court after completing the interrogation. Authorities are also preparing enhanced security arrangements for his detention to prevent any further escape attempt.