Nagpur: A 25-year-old driver was brutally murdered in Surjanagar, Bhandevadi, on Sunday night following an old financial dispute, sending shockwaves through the Wathoda area. Police arrested the accused within half an hour of the crime.

The deceased has been identified as Abhishek Rajkumar Pimpalikar (25), who worked as a garbage truck driver. The accused, Prakash Santosh Gaikwad (23), also from the same locality, earned a living by collecting plastic and scrap. According to police, both men earlier worked together in waste collection but fell out over money matters, sparking a long-standing rivalry.

Sunday was the shraddha (death anniversary) of Abhishek’s father. After performing rituals at home, he stepped out around 6 pm, telling his mother he was meeting friends. Around 9:45 pm, Abhishek encountered Prakash near his house and a heated argument broke out. In a sudden attack, Prakash allegedly stabbed him multiple times, leaving him bleeding profusely on the street.

Neighbours alerted Abhishek’s mother, Meena, who rushed to the spot. Friends immediately transported him to Government Medical College and Hospital (Medical), but doctors declared him dead during treatment.

On receiving the alert, Wathoda Police Inspector Harish Borade and a detection branch team reached the scene and launched a swift search. Prakash was nabbed within 30 minutes and produced in court on Monday, where he was remanded to three days of police custody.