Satyanarayan Singh had recently brought back his daughter to the city from Shimoga where she was staying with her maternal grandparents after the death of his wife, saying he would provide her a sound education, according to police.
He allegedly beat her to death last night after she showed a disinterest in studies.
Singh, who had got married again a few years ago, had a dowry case registered against him following the death of his wife, but was recently acquitted, they said.