Thiruvananthapuram: A man accused in a fraud case escaped from police custody while being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the state-run Medical College Hospital here in the early hours of Monday.

The accused, Rajeev, was taken into custody by the Kollam police for allegedly swindling money from people by impersonating a Directorate of Enforcement official.

According to the police, Rajeev had been admitted to the hospital on Sunday evening after he complained of uneasiness and chest pain. He reportedly escaped from custody by climbing down through the window of the cardiac ICU.

It is believed that he fled the hospital premises in a car that was waiting for him outside. Police said that the escape appeared to be pre-planned, and a manhunt has been launched.

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked criticism of serious security lapses by both the police and hospital authorities.

The incident comes just days after a remand prisoner from Tamil Nadu escaped from police custody while being transported back to the Viyyur Central Jail in Thrissur district.