A prime accused in a post-Godhra communal riots case escaped from police custody at a hospital in Panchmahals district today but was re-arrested, police said.

Govind Nai, main accused in the Referral Hospital murder case, was being "treated" at the same hospital in Kalol town of Panchamahals district for "mental illness" when he escaped from the premises by deceiving officials on the pretext of brushing his teeth, police said.

"Nai has been re-arrested and is in custody of Kalol police. We are interrogating him at present," Panchmahals District Superintendent of police B K Jha told PTI.

Nai is the prime accused in the Referral hospital murder case where a mob burnt alive a person right outside the campus on March 1, 2002.

He was admitted to the Referral hospital as an indoor patient on August 24, police said.