BENGALURU: The state police had been working relentlessly on the acid attack case and managed to nab the accused Nagesh from Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. They have yet again proved that they are a professional force, Home minister Araga Jnanendra said while appreciating the efforts of the police.
Acknowledging the support of the Tamil Nadu police, Jnanendra said efforts will be made to ensure that stringent action is taken against the accused and added that he will be tried in a fast-track court. Strict punishment to Nagesh may bring some sense of respite to the victim and her family, he hoped. He also said he will pray for the early recovery of the victim who is undergoing treatment in hospital.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant, who addressed a press conference, appreciated the efforts of the West division police, led by DCP Sandeep Patil, in cracking the tough case in 16 days.
Giving details, Pant said the two families lived in the same building seven years ago and Nagesh was trying to court the woman. When the family shifted elsewhere, he continued tracking her movements. As she had not accepted his marriage proposal, he decided to throw acid on her.
He wrote an email to a firm manufacturing solar cleaning acid and procured it on April 20. Two days later, he met the woman and spoke to her, but she told him that she considered him a brother. On April 24, he threw acid on her and disappeared, Pant said.
Nagesh had sold some property for Rs 8 lakh and had set up a garment unit where he was undertaking job orders. When he decided to throw acid on the woman, he disposed of all the machinery. He even thought of committing suicide by jumping into the Hoskote lake, but when he came to know that the woman had survived, he proceeded to Tiruvannamalai, where people usually go for repentance.
A police team had distributed handbills seeking information about Nagesh. By Thursday afternoon, the inspector got a call regarding Nagesh’s presence. After his identity was established through photographs from Tiruvannamalai, sent by two locals, a couple of policemen nabbed Nagesh from near an ashram, Pant said.
The police chief said the team was determined to nab the accused, however many days it takes. In appreciation of the team’s efforts, he announced a Rs 5 lakh reward for them.