Cop takes washroom break, theft accused escapes from hospital

Ahmedabad: An undertrial prisoner accused in a theft case escaped from civil hospital in Mehsana on Tuesday evening, allegedly when the police escort guarding him went to the washroom.The accused, booked in a theft case at Bahucharaji police station, was brought to the hospital from Mehsana sub-jail for medical treatment along with four other inmates. Two of them, including the escapee, were admitted to the hospital's guard room on doctors' advice.According to police sources, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) from the Mehsana police headquarters was on duty outside the guard room. At 7.48pm on Tuesday, the ASI briefly stepped away to use the washroom after ensuring that the iron grill door of the room was secured.However, within two minutes, the accused allegedly managed to open the grill and slip out. When the officer returned around 7.50pm, he found the grill door open and the prisoner missing. On rushing outside, he reportedly spotted the accused running towards the X-ray room. Taking advantage of the darkness, the prisoner disappeared from sight.Senior police officials were alerted and a search operation was launched to nab the accused. However, he remained untraced until late Wednesday night.A complaint was registered at Mehsana A-Division police station against the accused for escaping from lawful custody. Further investigation was underway, and efforts are on to track down the fugitive, police said.