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The Madras High Court, on Tuesday (November 3), has directed a team of three doctors to examine the undertrial prisoners who had fled from Theni prison and were later captured by the police.

The bench of Justice AD Jagadish Chandira and Justice B. Karthikeyan has directed the Deans of Government Medical College Salem and Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital to constitute a team of three doctors to visit the prison and examine the prisoners.

“Consequently, the Dean, Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem, as well as the Dean, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli, are directed to constitute and depute respective Medical Boards consisting of three Medical Officers/Doctors which shall accompany the Chairmen and Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities concerned during their prison visits, examine the prisoners, and provide requisite medical treatment wherever necessary,” the court said.

It may be noted that on the night of October 26, 2026, 17 inmates lodged in the Theni district jail had escaped after attacking the prison guard on duty. All 17 inmates were later apprehended by the police.

While so, the mother of two of the inmates, Arumagathammal, has now approached the Madras High Court alleging that her sons, along with two other prisoners, who were now confined in Salem Central Prison, were subjected to severe physical assault by Prison wardens after their surrender. The mother alleged that her sons had sustained grievous injuries all over their bodies and despite this, they were not given proper treatment. It was also submitted that her sons, along with 2 other prisoners, were transferred from Theni prison to Salem prison without providing necessary medical treatment for their injuries.

She had thus filed the present plea seeking directions to the prison authorities to provide proper and adequate medical treatment to the prisoners by referring them to the Government Hospital in Salem for a complete medical examination and necessary treatment.

The court noted that Justice SM Subramaniam, in his capacity as the Executive Chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority, had directed the DLSA Chairman to visit the jail and enquire into allegations of torture and intimidation and also to ascertain whether the prisoners had received legal assistance and representation.

The court noted that the legal service authority was directed to interact with the remand prisoners individually, without the presence of prison officials, verify whether they were injured and if they had received medical attention, to record the alleged perpetrators, including date, place and nature of assault, to ascertain whether the remand prisoners were threatened, coerced or prevented from making complaints, to facilitate the prisoners to give application to the prison legal aid clinic and to note any other violation of fundamental rights.

Considering the administrative directions already issued, the court deemed it fit to direct immediate and adequate medical treatment for the remand prisoners, if they were injured.

The court thus directed the Deans of the two medical colleges to constitute a medical board consisting of three doctors who could visit the prison and examine the prisoners for injuries and give medical assistance.

The court has also called for a compliance report by November 6th.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. P. Pugalenthi

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. C. R. Malarvannan, Additional Public Prosecutor

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