What's that they say about being blind in love and willing to do anything for it?

A 26-year-old cycle shop owner from Nehrunagar, Vikas Pawar, took this saying a bit too far. Not only did he jump into a quarry, he also threw her into it.

On Wednesday, at Kalwad quarry in Vishrantwadi, when Pawar proposed to his 26-year-old ex-lover, Deepa Gupta (name changed), she turned it down as she was married.

Angry, Pawar pushed her into the quarry and jumped in himself, the police said.

"Pawar and Deepa had an affair before she got married," said Police Sub-Inspector V T Patil. "He wanted her to settle down with him and start life afresh, but she did not agree.

"Locals rescued Gupta in the morning on hearing her cries, but Pawar's fate is still unknown," said Patil. "The search operation is still on."

Fire brigade officials could not locate Pawar until late yesterday.

"The quarry is spread over 3-4 acres, and there's 60-ft-deep water inside," said sub-duty officer Maruti Pawle, Yerwada fire station.