Bantwal, July 28: Police on Monday took into custody the accused in the brutal murder of 21-year-old nurse Lavanya after doctors declared him medically fit following 11 days of treatment at a hospital in Mangaluru.

Lavanya, a resident of Kakyapadavu, was working as a nurse at a private clinic in Kalladka. She was hacked to death in broad daylight at the B.C. Road KSRTC bus stand on July 16 while returning home from work. Police alleged that the attack was carried out by Chetan, a distant relative from Odilnala in Belthangady, who had reportedly been stalking her after she rejected his advances.

A murder case was registered at the Bantwal Rural Police Station following the incident.

After the attack, Chetan fled the scene in a car and was traced by police in Mangaluru the next day. However, as he was suspected to have consumed rat poison, he was first admitted to Bantwal Government Hospital and later shifted to Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru for advanced treatment.

He was initially treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before being shifted to a general ward as his condition improved.

With his health now reported to be stable, Bantwal Town Police formally took him into custody on Monday. He is expected to be produced before a local court on Tuesday.

The investigation is being carried out by the Bantwal Town Police under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police (IPS) Yash Kumar Sharma and led by Police Inspector Ananthapadmanabha.