Jhansi: Police have arrested a man for allegedly murdering a retired Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC), reportedly over resentment about the lawyer’s handling of his criminal case, officials confirmed on Saturday.

According to City Superintendent of Police Gyanendra Kumar Singh, 62-year-old Bhanu Prakash Sarwaria, a resident of Talpura under Nawabad police station jurisdiction, was killed at his home on the morning of 5 August by an unknown assailant.

“During the investigation, police discovered that Sarwaria also lent money at interest and had recently been involved in a dispute with his neighbour, Sachin Verma, aged 26, son of Prem Kumar Dashariya, over these financial dealings. Upon detention, Sachin confessed to the murder,” Singh stated.

Police further revealed that in 2001, Sachin was imprisoned under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting his girlfriend. Sarwaria had been representing him in that case, but Sachin felt the lawyer was neglecting his defence.

Last year, due to alleged shortcomings in representation, a warrant was issued against Sachin, resulting in a three-month jail term, police added.

Sachin reportedly owed Sarwaria Rs 60,000, and the lawyer had seized his motorcycle as collateral for the unpaid debt. Fearing conviction at the next court hearing, scheduled for 19 September, Sachin allegedly broke into Sarwaria’s home through the roof on 5 August and strangled him.

“Police arrested Sachin Verma near Kanpur Road Chungi on Friday evening and have remanded him in custody,” Singh confirmed.