Pregnant Bangladeshi prisoner escapes from hospital in India's Mumbai

A search operation is under way to track down Rubina Irshad Sheikh, who slipped away from guards at JJ Hospital on Thursday

A 25-year-old Bangladeshi woman, arrested for allegedly staying in India illegally, has escaped from police custody while receiving treatment at a government hospital in Mumbai.

Police say Rubina Irshad Sheikh, who is five months pregnant, slipped away from guards at JJ Hospital on Thursday afternoon, news agency Press Trust of India reports.

She reportedly pushed aside a constable and fled into a crowded area of the hospital.

Rubina had been arrested on Aug 7 in Navi Mumbai’s Vashi district for allegedly using a forged birth certificate to obtain an Indian passport.

She faces charges under the Indian Penal Code, the Passport Act and the Foreigners Act. She was later sent to Byculla Women’s Jail.

Rubina was admitted to hospital on Aug 11 with fever, cold symptoms and a skin infection, in addition to a routine pregnancy check-up.

Mumbai Police have launched a search operation across the city.

The escape has led to scrutiny of the security arrangements for prisoners taken to hospitals for medical treatment.