Cuttack, Nov. 19: Police today arrested a 20-year-old youth for allegedly killing a college student out of jealousy.

The accused, identified as Amulya Kumar Sahu of Jajpur, is a Plus Three student of geology honours of Stewart Science College in the city.

On Sunday, Amulya pushed Abhinash Mohanty, who also studied at the same college, into the Mahanadi river near the Gadagadia ghat. Abhinash’s body was recovered the next day.

Deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora said Amulya had killed Abhinash out of jealousy. The accused was in love with a girl, who used to take more interest in Abhinash. Cantonment police said Amulya had developed hatred towards Abhinash.

Both Abhinash and the girl had been friends for the past four years since they were studying Plus Two at Ravenshaw Junior College, sources said.

An official said Amulya had hatched a conspiracy to kill Abhinash after finding that the girl liked his company.

Using different SIM cards, Amulya used to send threatening messages to both the victim and the girl.

In the messages, the accused had threatened both to stay away from each other, the police said.

“Amulya had used his own mobile phone to send the messages, using unregistered SIM cards. Through international mobile equipment identity, it was ascertained that the accused used his cell phone to send the messages,” Arora said.

The police said the deceased had two mobile phones. One was recovered, along with his body, while another was found from near the backyard of the mess at Bidanasi where Amulya was staying.