PUNE: A 21-year-old rape accused escaped from police custody at Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) on Sunday. He was admitted here for two days after being referred from the Yerwada Central Jail. 

The accused, Akshay Lonare, is an undertrial prisoner for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl. The FIR was registered in May 2015. 

According to the police, he was brought to the hospital on Friday. He escaped around 8.30 am. There were four guards on duty when he fled. 

A search has been launched to nab him. “Two of the guards had gone for tea, one to the washroom, while the fourth didn’t pay any attention. An inquiry has been ordered against them,” a police officer said.