Wardha (Maharashtra), Feb 3 (IANS): In a shocking incident, a jilted lover attempted to murder a young college lecturer by dousing her with petrol in full public view in Maharashtra's Wardha, police said here on Monday.

The incident happened this morning in Hinganghat town around 7 a.m. when the victim stepped out of a bus at Nanderi Chowk, to proceed to her college, around 100 metres away, said Investigating Officer Pratibha Dudhbale.

"We have detained the accused Vicky Nagrale and are questioning him. He and the victim belong to the same village, Daroda. The victim was working as a part-time lecturer with Matoshri Ashatai Kunawar College," Wardha Superintendent of Police Basavaraj Teli told IANS.

According to police, the woman has sustained more than 40 per cent burns, her face has been totally scarred, besides her chest and back, and medicos fear she may lose her vision if she survives.

After initial treatment at the local Hinganghat Hospital, she was rushed to Orange City Hospital in Nagpur this afternoon.

The Maharashtra Police has sought a detailed report on the incident.