MEERUT: A 49-year-old woman undertrial escaped from the district hospital in Bareilly on Wednesday evening after allegedly changing into a burqa in the washroom, police said. Two constables deployed to guard her were suspended on Thursday for dereliction of duty.Mamta, a resident of Tulsipur village under Izzatnagar police station, was lodged in Central Jail-2 in connection with a case registered last year under relevant sections of BNS and Pocso Act. She was brought to the district court on Monday for a hearing but complained of ill health and was admitted to the emergency ward of the district hospital. Constables Nutan Sisodia and Rinki were deployed to guard her.Hospital staff told police that Mamta had left the ward several times on Wednesday afternoon, saying she wanted to use the washroom.

Around 7pm, she again gave the same reason. The two constables, who were having their meal at the time, allegedly allowed her to go alone.Mamta allegedly changed her clothes inside the washroom, put on a burqa and left the hospital unnoticed. When she failed to return, the constables checked the washroom and found her clothes there. They alerted hospital staff and police, following which a search was launched in and around the premises.

Police suspect that someone outside may have helped her escape.Mamta’s son, Keshav, later told police that she had called him from another person’s mobile phone and informed him that she had left the hospital and would “handle her case on her own”.Kotwali police reached the hospital and began an investigation. CCTV footage from the hospital and surrounding areas are being examined, police said.SSP Anurag Arya suspended Sisodia and Rinki with immediate effect, calling the incident a lapse in security duty. “Teams have been formed to trace the absconding woman and identify anyone who may have assisted her escape,” he said.“An FIR has been filed at Kotwali police station against Mamta under BNS section 262 (resistance or obstruction by a person to their lawful apprehension or escape from lawful custody),” said circle officer city-1 Ashutosh Shivam.