Kuthiravattom mental health centre plagued by security concerns

Safety concerns continue to plague the Government Mental Health Centre, Kuthiravattom, as the institution is yet to have enough number of security staff on duty despite multiple instances of inmates escaping from the facility.

According to sources, the centre at present has only five security staff instead of the required 20. At least 10 people are reported to have quit the job in the past one-and-a-half months alone. Though the government had decided to appoint security staff on temporary basis from the Employment Exchange, the aspirants are put off by the unattractive salary on offer. The workload is higher too. Hospital sources told The Hindu on Thursday (February 19, 2026) that despite interviewing around 100 people for the job, only two had recently turned up to join duty.

This is happening at a time when reports of inmates attempting to run away are being frequently reported from the facility. The police are yet to nab Vineesh Vinod, accused in the Drishya murder case, who escaped from the facility in December 2025. According to reports, two special squads are leading the search operations that have been extended to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Vineesh, a native of Manjeri in Malappuram district, was in the Kannur Central Jail earlier. He was shifted to Kuthiravattom after he exhibited mental illness symptoms.

The sources say that the government is yet to approve the proposal to utilise the interest of the amount deposited in the bank account of the hospital development society to provide salary to the security staff. Also the construction of the boundary wall around the premises is stuck reportedly due to the delay in getting government approval to cut some old trees in the area.

Meanwhile, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission has suo motu registered a case on the security concerns at the centre based on media reports. The District Collector and Health Secretary have been asked to submit a report.