A shocking triple-death incident in Lucknow has left the city stunned after a man allegedly shot his estranged wife outside her workplace, later killed his sister and then died by suicide. The incident took place in the Gomti Nagar area on Thursday, August 20, 2026, and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the killings.
The accused has been identified in multiple reports as Manas Bajpai, an SBI employee, while his wife, Divya Mishra, worked as a relationship manager at an ICICI Bank branch in Gomti Nagar. According to reports, Manas allegedly called Divya outside the bank and shot her before fleeing the spot. She was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead.
After allegedly shooting his wife, Manas reportedly returned to his rented accommodation, where his sister was present. Police said he allegedly shot his sister before turning the firearm on himself. Both were subsequently found dead. Investigators have recovered weapons and are examining forensic evidence and CCTV footage to reconstruct the sequence of events.
WhatsApp Status Raises Questions About Motive
A WhatsApp status allegedly posted by Manas after the shooting has become a key part of the investigation. According to several reports, the message claimed that he had killed his wife because she had allegedly “cheated” on him and indicated that he intended to kill his sister and himself. The status also reportedly mentioned Divya's sister Pragya and her husband Bharat, claiming that they knew about the matter.
However, the allegations contained in the WhatsApp status have not been independently established as facts. Police are examining the digital evidence alongside other material gathered during the investigation. The exact motive and circumstances behind the killings remain under investigation.
Couple Reportedly Living Separately
Reports indicate that Manas and Divya had been married for several years but were living separately amid a marital dispute. Some reports state that a divorce case was pending in court. Investigators are now examining the couple's relationship, communications and events leading up to the shooting.
The police are analysing CCTV footage, the accused's mobile phone, the WhatsApp status, forensic evidence and statements from people connected to the family. Post-mortem examinations are also part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident has sparked widespread shock because of the sequence of events and the alleged social-media confession. Until investigators establish the complete facts, claims made in the WhatsApp status should be treated as allegations rather than confirmed explanations for the crime.
