Kannur, July 25 -- Govindachamy, convicted in the 2011 Soumya rape and murder case, escaped from Kannur Central Jail on Friday, Kannur Town Police said.

The police have launched a massive manhunt to search for him. The police have also deployed the K-9 squad at the Kannur Central Jail in search of the accused.

According to the police, Govindachamy was serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of 23-year-old Soumya, who was attacked while travelling on a passenger train from Ernakulam to Shoranur on February 1, 2011.

Meanwhile, the Office of the District Police Chief has issued a wanted notice for Govincachamy.

"The GOVINDA SWAMI C NO.46 (Accused in SOUMYA MURDER Case) escaped from Central Prison Kannur today (25/07/2025) morning...