Cuttack: In a baffling turn of events, an undertrial prisoner managed to escape from the SCB Medical College and Hospital here on Thursday by disguising himself as a woman.

The fugitive has been identified as Sajan Das, a resident of Naugaon area in Jagatsinghpur district.

According to reports, Das was apprehended by the Naugaon police while attempting to burglarize a residence in the Niali area. Following his arrest, he was presented in court and denied bail, subsequently being remanded to judicial custody. Initially, he was lodged in Alipingal jail before being transferred to Choudwar jail.

On May 29, Das was admitted to the hospital due to illness and had been receiving treatment there. Yesterday, Das requested to use the restroom, where he swiftly changed his attire, adopting a saree as his disguise, and discreetly exited the facility.

The Mangalabag police have promptly registered a case and initiated a widespread search operation to apprehend the fugitive prisoner.