Escaped prisoner captured in Cox's Bazar after fleeing hospital

Police have arrested a prisoner who is on trial after he escaped from Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) with a discharge certificate. He was caught in Cox’s Bazar.

The prisoner, identified as 34-year-old Rafiqul Ullah, was apprehended in Pekua Sadar's Bainnakhali area on Thursday.

Rafiqul had originally been arrested by Moheshkhali Police in Cox’s Bazar on Mar 17 in connection with an arms case. He was later transferred from jail to CMCH for treatment on Mar 23, according to Panchlaish Police Station chief Md Solaiman.

Rafiqul was under police watch while undergoing treatment at the hospital as per protocol, he said. However, on Apr 16, he managed to escape the hospital using a discharge certificate and some trickery. When he could not be found despite a search, a case was started at Panchlaish Police Station.

Rafiqul was arrested at his stepsister's father-in-law’s house in Bainnakhali Ward No. 2 following a raid, Solaiman said.

Police added that Rafiqul was implicated in 13 cases filed with Moheshkhali Police Station in Cox’s Bazar.