Medical examination of recaptured prisoners, allegedly thrashed by Theni jail warders, confirms injuries

CHENNAI A medical examination ordered by the Madras High Court with respect to four out of 17 recaptured prisoners, who escaped from Theni district jail on October 26, 2026, and allegedly thrashed by the warders after their recapture within two days, has revealed that they are suffering from multiple injuries. A Division Bench of Justices A.D.

Jagadish Chandira and B. Karthikeyan were told that the medical examination of three prisoners, now shifted to the Salem central prison, and the fourth prisoner lodged at Palayamkottai central prison, by government doctors had confirmed the injuries sustained by them.

The judges decided to take a further call on the issue after receipt of a report from the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority (TNSLSA) on the inquiry that it had initiated with respect to allegations of the 17 prisoners having escaped from the prison only because of torture and ill-treatment by the warders. They directed the High Court Registry to list a writ petition filed by K.