A 21-year-old man has been arrested in Lucknow for allegedly murdering his father following repeated disputes over his career choices, police said.

The victim, 49-year-old Manvendra Singh, who owned a Pathology Lab, had been reported missing since Friday. Suspicion arose when police visited the family home and discovered parts of his body stored in a blue drum. His son, Akshat Pratap Singh, was subsequently detained for questioning.

According to police officials, Akshat later confessed to shooting his father and attempting to dispose of the body.

Investigators said Manvendra Singh had been pressuring his son to prepare for NEET. However, Akshat was reportedly opposed to the plan, and the two frequently argued over the issue. Police added that the accused had previously left home following similar disputes.

On Friday around 4:30 pm, after another argument, Akshat allegedly shot his father with a rifle. He then moved the body from the third floor to the ground floor of the house, where he allegedly dismembered it in an empty room.

Police said the accused’s sister witnessed the incident but was allegedly threatened into silence. Body parts were reportedly packed in plastic bags and later disposed of near Sadaruna, while some remains, including the torso, were kept inside a blue drum in the house.

Following the confession, forensic teams were called to the scene to collect evidence. Authorities are continuing efforts to recover the remaining body parts.

The accused has been detained and a case will be registered under the relevant sections against the accused.

The body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem examination, the police said.