MANGALURU: A day after a 21-year-old nurse was hacked to death at a crowded bus stand in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, the accused was admitted to hospital after allegedly consuming rat poison during interrogation, police said on Friday.The accused, identified as 22-year-old Chetan, a distant relative of the victim, Lavanya, was arrested hours after the attack that police said stemmed from his one-sided obsession with her.According to Dakshina Kannada superintendent of police Arun K, the murder was reported on Thursday evening within the jurisdiction of Bantwal police station after Lavanya was attacked by an unidentified assailant at the BC Road KSRTC bus stand.Police later identified the accused as Chetan, a resident of Odilnal in Beltangadi taluk and a distant relative of the victim.“He had been in one-sided love with the woman. It has been established that he committed the murder by attacking her with a machete. A special team was formed to trace the accused. This morning, he was secured in Mangaluru,” the SP said.Chetan was “secured” in Mangaluru early on Friday. During questioning, he allegedly told investigators that he had consumed poison, following which he was shifted to a government hospital for treatment.Police said further investigation and legal procedures would continue after he recovers and is produced before a court.“After he recovers, he will be brought to the police station for further investigation, following which he will be produced before the court and further legal action will be taken,” the SP added.Lavanya, who hailed from Kakyapadavu in Uli village of Bantwal taluk, had been working as a nurse for the past eight months. Family members described her as a hardworking and ambitious young woman who supported her family.Investigators said the attack took place when Lavanya was returning home from work and trying to board a bus. Chetan allegedly confronted her at the bus stand and, when she attempted to flee, chased and attacked her in full public view.Eyewitnesses who tried to intervene were allegedly threatened by the accused, who fled the spot after the assault.Police described the murder as premeditated and driven by Chetan’s unrequited obsession with the victim.The incident, which occurred in a crowded public space during evening hours, has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over women’s safety in the region.After the post-mortem examination, Lavanya’s body was handed over to her family. Hospital authorities said the accused was responding well to treatment but would remain under medical supervision for some more time.(With PTI inputs)
