A jail inmate escaped from a toilet window of the Institute of Psychiatry & Human Behaviour (IPHB) hospital in Bambolim in the wee hours of Friday.
Police sources said Shahabuddin Sheikh, who was lodged in Colvale jail, was admitted to the psychiatric hospital for treatment.
"A few days ago, he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment. He went to the hospital toilet this morning. When he did not return after a long time, the hospital staff became suspicious as the toilet door was closed. There was no sound from inside as they knocked on the door. So when I went to the back of the toilet, there was no one inside," said a police officer.
Police authorities have registered a case at Agacaim police station and are searching for the inmate.
According to the police Shahabuddin Sheikh has been convicted in several theft cases. In some cases, he has been convicted by a court for confessing to theft, while in others, cases are pending in court. He is a resident of Vasco.
Police sources claimed Sheikh took advantage of the lack of security at the hospital.