Kasaragod: Rajapuram Police on Sunday arrested the man accused of throwing acid on his 17-year-old daughter and 10-year-old niece.

Manoj K C (46), a resident of Anappara in Karnataka’s border panchayat of Karike, was caught hiding under a bed in a secluded house at Parakadav in Kasaragod’s Panathady panchayat, said Rajapuram Station House Officer - Inspector P Rajesh. 

"The house had only one ailing inhabitant, and Manoj was hiding under his bed," the officer said.

Police had been searching for him in Karike panchayat and nearby areas since Friday. "Last night we searched in and around Parakadav. This morning, we got information that he was there, and sent a party," the SHO said.

Manoj, a Malayali rubber tapper and landed farmer settled in the Kodagu village, often abused and assaulted his wife, Divya, residents said. A year ago, she left with their two children and began staying at her brother Mohanan's house in Parakadav.

On Onam day, September 5, Manoj allegedly barged into Mohanan’s house and threw acid at Divya. But the acid splashed on his daughter Ninnu Mol K M (17) and Mohanan’s daughter Manya (10).

Ninnu suffered burns on her arms and thighs, and Manya sustained burns on her face and arms. Mohanan’s mother quickly washed the children with water, preventing deep injuries. Both have since returned home after treatment at the Government Taluk Hospital at Poodamkallu in Panathady panchayat.

Hours before the acid attack, around 5am, Manoj had come to Mohanan’s house, poured petrol on Divya’s scooter parked outside, and tried to set it ablaze. He fled when the family raised an alarm.

Rajapuram police have booked Manoj under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for house trespass [Section 329(3)], causing hurt with acid [Section 124(1)], attempt to murder [Section 109(1)], and criminal intimidation [Section 351(2)]. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment.