Both of them have been admitted to Malda Medical College and their condition is said to be critical, police added.

“We are looking into the incident. The motive isn’t clear yet. However, primary facie, the accused knew the woman student,” said a police officer.

The knife used in the attack has been recovered, the officer added.

The incident took place when the classes were going on. It is alleged that the accused, who is a former student of the university, stabbed the woman student in the corridor while she was on her way to attend classes. The woman is a student of mathematics.

A student, who did not wish to be named, said the exam was going on in the mathematics department on Thursday.

He said the accused was “shouting at the top of his voice” while stabbing the girl. “Since the man had a sharp weapon in his hand and was violent, no one dared to go near the girl,” the student said.

Rajib Patitundi, Deputy Registrar (Additional Duty) and Development Officer of the university said: “The matter is being looked into, but our priority is to ensure that both the victim and the accused recover.”

“The victim is our student, while the accused is a former student of the university,” Patitundi said.