Tamil Nadu temporarily closed 11 prison-run fuel stations after escapes from three facilities. The move tightens prison security as officials investigate an inmate's abuse allegations.The move comes amid a fresh controversy over a viral video in which a recaptured inmate alleged torture and poor-quality food at a jail in Theni district. (Representational Image-ITG) Fuel stations operated by prison inmates across Tamil Nadu have been temporarily closed as a precaution after a series of prison escapes, officials said on Monday, according to news agency Press Trust of India.The move comes amid a fresh controversy over a viral video in which a recaptured inmate alleged torture and poor-quality food at a jail in Theni district.The fuel stations were closed after separate incidents in which two prisoners escaped from Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai, 17 from a facility in Theni and one from Coimbatore.
Police have caught those who escaped from the Chennai and Theni facilities, while the search for the Coimbatore inmate continues.In the video shared on social media, recaptured prisoner Meenakshisundaram made allegations about conditions at the Theni jail. A group of inmates had escaped from the district jail at Thekkampatti near Andipatti on October 26 after attacking guards.
They were caught by police within 36 hours. Meenakshisundaram, a Madurai resident, and his brother Tirupathi were reportedly shot at by police during the operation to arrest them.Meenakshisundaram alleged in the video that severe torture and poor-quality food in the prison had driven the inmates to escape.
Appealing to the Chief Justice and the Chief Minister, he claimed that prison authorities had not acted on his complaints and that he had escaped with the intention of surrendering directly before a court. He also alleged that police had plotted to kill him in an encounter and claimed that his brother had no connection with the incident.
Meenakshisundaram said he wanted to lead a reformed life with his pregnant wife. He also claimed that 21 prisoners had escaped, contradicting the official figure of 17 and prompting a fresh dispute.Following criticism from opposition parties over the security breaches, the Tamil Nadu government has tightened surveillance across prisons and formed an inquiry committee to investigate the escapes and conditions in prison facilities.As part of the enhanced security measures, 11 fuel stations staffed round the clock by trained prisoners in coordination with Indian Oil Corporation Limited have been temporarily shut, police sources told PTI.The outlets include two each at the central prisons in Puzhal, Coimbatore and Madurai, and one each near the central prisons in Vellore, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Palayamkottai.
The fuel stations at the Tiruchirappalli special prison for women and the Pudukkottai district jail have also been closed. Two of the affected outlets are located near Puzhal Central Prison on Ambattur Road.Between 2019 and March 2026, the prison-run fuel outlets generated an estimated profit of Rs 55 crore for the state exchequer.
Bazaars operated by prison inmates have also been closed.The temporary closures are part of wider security measures introduced after the escapes in Chennai, Theni and Coimbatore, even as authorities examine the allegations made by the recaptured Theni inmate.- Ends