A shocking murder-suicide in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar area has left the city stunned after a State Bank of India employee allegedly shot dead his estranged wife, killed his sister and then took his own life on Thursday. The incident, which unfolded within a short span of time, has triggered a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the family dispute.
According to police, the accused has been identified as Manas Vajpayee, an SBI employee. His wife, Divya Mishra, worked as a relationship manager with ICICI Bank. The couple had reportedly been living separately amid an ongoing marital dispute, with their differences also being taken up before a family court.
Wife Shot Outside Her Workplace
The incident began when Vajpayee allegedly reached his wife’s workplace in the Gomti Nagar area. Police said he shot Divya Mishra outside the ICICI Bank premises before fleeing the spot.
The killing of the bank official sent shockwaves through the area, as the shooting took place near her workplace during the daytime. The police subsequently began reconstructing the sequence of events to determine what led the accused to allegedly target his estranged wife.
Initial reports indicate that the couple had been facing serious marital differences and were living separately. Investigators are examining the nature of their dispute and whether it played a direct role in the killings.
Accused Returned Home and Killed Sister
After allegedly shooting his wife, Vajpayee reportedly returned to his residence. Police said he then shot his sister before turning the firearm on himself.
The incident has therefore been treated as a suspected murder-suicide involving three deaths. Police teams reached the location and began examining the scene, collecting evidence and establishing the exact chronology of the shootings.
Officials are also looking into the weapon used in the incident and other evidence that could help explain the accused’s actions. The investigation is expected to focus on the family circumstances preceding the tragedy, including the couple’s marital dispute.
Chilling WhatsApp Status Under Investigation
A particularly disturbing element of the case is an alleged WhatsApp status attributed to Vajpayee after the shooting of his wife. According to reports, the message claimed that he had killed his wife and indicated that he intended to kill himself and his sister.
The alleged status also referred to individuals connected with his wife’s family. However, police are examining the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the digital post before drawing conclusions from it.
Investigators are expected to examine digital records, including the accused’s phone and online activity, as part of the evidence-gathering process.
Marital Dispute Being Probed
Police officials are investigating whether the prolonged dispute between the couple was the immediate trigger for the crime. Reports suggest that the husband and wife had been living separately and that their marital issues had reached the family court.
Authorities are also examining whether any previous complaints, legal proceedings or disputes existed between the two. Investigators will have to establish the sequence of events independently through forensic evidence, witness statements and digital records.
The allegations made in the reported WhatsApp message will also be verified rather than treated as established fact.
Investigation Underway in Lucknow
The triple-death incident has raised serious questions about how a family dispute escalated into such extreme violence. Police teams are working to establish every stage of the incident, from the shooting outside the bank to the subsequent deaths at the residence.
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Forensic teams are expected to examine the crime scenes and other material evidence. Statements from relatives, colleagues and people familiar with the couple may also help investigators understand the circumstances preceding the tragedy.
The incident has left the families of the deceased facing a devastating loss, while the police investigation continues to determine the precise motive and circumstances behind the killings.
As the probe progresses, investigators are expected to rely on forensic findings, digital evidence and witness accounts to establish the complete sequence of events. Authorities have not indicated that the investigation has reached a final conclusion regarding the motive.
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