The Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s government after 17 undertrial prisoners escaped from the Theni sub-jail in a coordinated prison break on Monday night.
DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accused the state government of administrative incompetence, saying that it had failed to prevent prisoners from escaping even from within jails.
“Following Breaking Bad, a Prison Break has now begun in Tamil Nadu! I thought it was only those released on bail who went unmonitored,” Stalin said in a post on X.
The Breaking Bad reference was part of Stalin’s criticism of the Vijay government last week, following the arrest of a ruling party functionary in connection with a major narcotics seizure.
Describing the state government as “good for nothing”, Stalin said the Theni incident was the most daring jailbreak in Tamil Nadu since 1995.
“It is said that this is the first time since 1995 that such a large number of prisoners have escaped at once. It is unacceptable for this to happen in 2026, a time when security arrangements and surveillance systems should be advanced,” he said.
“Tamil Nadu has reached a situation where people are left to fend for themselves,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Police have launched a massive manhunt after 17 undertrial prisoners escaped from the Theni sub-jail. Four of them were rearrested during an overnight combing operation.
According to an ANI report, the inmates raised an alarm on Monday night, claiming that one of the prisoners sharing their cell was unwell. When the guards opened the cell door, all 17 inmates allegedly launched a coordinated attack, overpowered the guards and fled the premises.
Three prison personnel sustained injuries in the attack.
Security has been tightened across Theni and neighbouring districts, with intensified checks at key locations. Police have also circulated the identities and photographs of the escaped prisoners to police stations across the region and to their counterparts in Idukki district in neighbouring Kerala.
