COIMBATORE: A man facing several cases, who was nabbed on Friday after he escaped from police custody in June, escaped once again from police custody, just before he was to be lodged in the Coimbatore Central Prison in the early hours of Saturday.The man, identified as Ragavan alias Kozhikkaran, 25, of Bhavani in Erode district, was produced before a magistrate at the Fast Track Court in Coimbatore around 11pm on Friday, and was being taken to the Coimbatore Central Prison. Around 12.40am on Saturday, the remand accused pushed the police personnel escorting him and escaped.He first escaped from custody on June 19, 2026, while being transported to Coimbatore from Bengaluru.Coimbatore district superintendent of police A Pavan Kumar said Ragavan had several robbery, theft and burglary cases against him and had been lodged in the Coimbatore Central Prison. In June, the Bengaluru police took him into custody for his involvement in a case in Karnataka. On his return to Coimbatore prison, he pushed police and fled. The Annur police arrested him on Friday. After he was produced before the magistrate, he was taken to the Coimbatore Central Prison escorted by sub-inspector of police Abdul Muthalif, constable Ranjith, and armed reserve police personnel Dinesh and Karthik.Police took him inside the prison through the main gate. While they were removing the handcuffs before lodging him in the prison, Ragavan pushed the police personnel and escaped, running through the bushes.Following the incident, an intensive search operation was launched in coordination with the Coimbatore city police. Six teams have been formed to trace him.Police are using drones, analysing CCTV footage and conducting intensified vehicle checks as part of the search operation. Police units in neighbouring areas have also been alerted to ensure his prompt arrest.Four police personnel who were responsible for escorting the accused have been placed under suspension for lapses in duty.
