The shocking Bengaluru acid attack case has a new twist: the accused, identified as Nagesh Babu, was shot in the leg by Bengaluru police near Kengeri around 1.30 a.m. when he allegedly attacked a police constable and attempted to flee.

Nagesh was finally apprehended and arrested on Friday in Tamil Nadu at an ashram in Thiruvannamalai, where he was disguised as a seer attending a religious programme, after a two-week manhunt by seven police teams. He is said to be in stable condition following his hospitalisation for a leg injury.

Nagesh is accused of throwing a litre of acid on a 23-year-old Bengaluru woman 16 days ago after she declined his marriage proposal. The incident sparked outrage, prompting police to release Nagesh’s photographs to the public in an attempt to apprehend him as soon as possible.

The victim, who worked at a private finance firm, was attacked at work by Nagesh and sustained nearly 30% burn injuries. She is still recovering in a hospital. He had been stalking her for years and wanted to marry her, according to the victim’s statement.

According to the police, Nagesh had threatened the victim with dire consequences if she did not accept his proposal the day before the incident. He came prepared to teach her a lesson after the final rejection. Nagesh managed to show up near the stairwell of her office, where he asked her to marry him again, even as the victim left home for work with her father. He threw the acid on her and fled when she refused again.