An elderly woman who had gone missing on Tuesday afternoon was found locked inside a washroom at the Ayushman Arogya Kendra (formerly Aam Aadmi Clinic) in Malout town on Wednesday morning. Staff had allegedly closed the facility without checking if anyone was inside.Krishna Rani, a resident of Ward 10 and a domestic help, had visited the health centre to get medicines. She went to the washroom, but the staff locked the centre and left around 2 pm. Her family searched for her through the night and also informed the police.She was discovered only when the centre reopened at 8 am on Wednesday. “She remained locked for almost 18 hours in the washroom. We want action against those responsible,” said Jai Parkash, an acquaintance of the family.Dr Rajinder Kumar, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the Malout Civil Hospital, confirmed the incident. He said a written explanation had been sought from the staff. “I have spoken to the doctor posted there and directed the staff to give a detailed report. I am told the woman was not registered as a patient in the OPD register. She has now been brought to the hospital for medical examination and is fine,” the SMO said.


