A student of Patna Arts and Craft College was shot at allegedly by her jilted lover near the institute gate in Buddha Colony police station limits here on Saturday.

Asha Rani Panda, a fourth year student of the college, was shot in the back by Nishit Kumar, an alumni of the same institute, around 11.30 a.m., Superintendent of Police Anwar Hussain said.

The assailant has been arrested with a country-made pistol and one cartridge, he said, adding he offered no resistance. Panda has been rushed to Patna Medical College hospital in a serious condition.

Hussain said Nishit claimed he had an affair with Asha, who began distancing herself from him when he proposed to her, prompting him to take the extreme step. The affair it appeared was one-sided, he said.

"We have been told that the culprit used to stalk the victim and pestered her with his advances. It appears that as she spurned his overtures, Nishit committed the crime out of frustration. The man is being interrogated," he added.