Rakesh, An Indian Air Force trainee of Jalahalli threw acid on 22-year-old Karthika, who was his childhood friend, to avenge rejection.

Karthika is an LLB student at Bishop Cottons Women’s Law College in Banglore. On Tuesday Rakesh, who knew Karthika’s schedule, waited for her at the parking lot of Trinity Church where she had gone to offer prayers along with her friends, Harisha and Catherine.

“As she emerged from the hostel with her friends, Rakesh, who was wearing a helmet, started moving towards the group. All of a sudden, he threw a bottle of acid towards her,” said R. Johnson, a member of the church committee.

“Karthika was reading a book while walking. Her friends, who saw the bottle being hurled, moved away following which she also turned. In the melee, she suffered burns in her neck, back and legs,” he added.

Karthika has reportedly suffered 20 per cent burns on the left part of her face and hands and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital on Bannerghatta Road.