Mohan Nayak was dragged out of a house and brutally stoned and stabbed to death in Navibhat village.

The arrested person has been identified as one Soma Rathwa (25) from Rukot village, from where Nayak hailed.

Rathwa was picked up from Rukot village following descriptions and information from eyewitnesses.

The police believe the murder took place as a result of some rivalry between the two men and a few others.

“Nayak, Rathwa and several others were all inebriated on Thursday night and began to quarrel over a petty issue. However, the fight was broken up and the group dispersed,” Halol inspector P R Shah said.

Shah added that Rathwa and a few others, still angered with the fight returned to Navibhat village, where Nayak was staying at a friend's house, and dragged him to a desolate spot and stoned him.

The police said that the accused then stabbed Nayak with knives to kill him.

Shah said the murder occurred following a local ritual.

“Rathwa confessed to the murder and said it was done for revenge. However, he refused to reveal the names of the others involved and we plan to ask for a remand when he is produced in court on Saturday evening,” Shah said.

Halol sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) P C Baranda said they have been conducting combing operations in search of the accused since the offence was registered.