An 18-year-old woman from Kerala sustained burn injuries on Saturday, after she was attacked with acid by her stalker, while traveling on a train.
The attacker has been identified as 20-year-old Arun, who has been taken into custody by the railway police in Kollam district. Police say that the duo had been in a relationship, but had ended a few months ago.
According to the railway police, the woman was traveling on a train from Kollam to Punalur on Saturday afternoon.
"Arun, who was on the platform, threw acid at her through the window. She has sustained 35% burn injuries and has been hospitalised. We have taken the accused into custody," the police said.
According to the police, the woman has sustained injuries on the left part of her body, including her face. The attack happened at around 2.30 pm, when the train halted at Kottarakkara railway station.
"They were in a relationship before. But due to some issues, they ended the relationship. They had known each other for quite some time now. After the woman broke off the relationship, Arun used to pressure her to get back together again. We believe he used to pick fights with her often demanding this. What exactly transpired today is yet to be known. We have not been able to take her statement as of now," the police said.
While the police have taken Arun into custody, they have not yet recorded the arrest. Police say that Arun had planned the attack in advance and carried the acid with him.
"It is not yet clear whether he was on the same train itself. It is very likely that he had been following her from Kollam and travelled in a different compartment, got down when the train stopped at Kottarakkara, and then attacked her. However, it is confirmed that Arun had planned the attack in advance," the police said.
Media reports stated that a person, who sat next to the girl on the train, too sustained minor burn injuries in the incident.