Prisoner held within hours of escape from city hospital

Authorities of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj detained a prisoner yesterday afternoon, 10 hours after he escaped from Mitford Hospital where he had been receiving treatment.

Mintu Mia (28) was detained from under the bridge of Babu Bazar in the capital around 2pm, Mahbubul Islam, jailer of Dhaka Central Jail, told The Daily Star.

"Mintu is not mentally stable. He, with the handcuff on, was wandering in Babu Bazar area," added Mahbubul.

He was an accused in a drug case filed with Gopalpur Police Station under Tangail district. He was admitted to Mitford Hospital last evening and was receiving treatment under the prison guards' watch.

He fled the hospital around 4am, Brig Gen Quazi Md Rashid-un-Nabi, director of the hospital, told The Daily Star.

Mintu escaped when the three prison guards fell asleep, said a hospital source, quoting prison officials.

Hospital and prison officials said Mintu fell sick in Tangail District Jail two weeks ago. He was shifted to central jail in Keraniganj and later got admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

He was taken back to Keraniganj jail a few days ago as his condition improved. However, he fell ill again yesterday.

Abdullah Al Mamun, jail super of Tangail District Jail, said they received the accused on August 13, and he fell sick on that night. He was being treated at a local hospital, but they referred him to DMCH, he added.