Shot wife at work, put ‘betrayal’ WhatsApp status: How Lucknow murders unfolded in 2 hours | Timeline
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A bank employee in Lucknow, Manas Bajpai, shot his wife outside her workplace and his sister before taking his own life. The incident, preceded by a chilling WhatsApp status alleging marital infidelity, is currently under police investigation.
A Tragic Double Murder-Suicide in Lucknow
On Thursday, August 20, 2026, the Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow became the site of a harrowing triple-death tragedy. Manas Bajpai, a 38-year-old employee of the State Bank of India, allegedly orchestrated a sequence of violence that began outside an ICICI Bank branch and concluded at his own residence. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the devastating intersection of domestic discord and sudden, lethal violence.
The Sequence of Events
According to reports from local authorities, the violence commenced at approximately 12:15 pm. Divya Mishra, 37, a relationship manager at the ICICI Bank branch, was lured out of her vehicle by her husband, Manas Bajpai, who was waiting nearby in an autorickshaw. Following the initial shooting of his wife, Bajpai reportedly fled the scene, only to travel to his rented home. There, he allegedly killed his younger sister, Pragya, before turning the weapon on himself.
The Role of Digital Evidence
Central to the ongoing police investigation is a disturbing WhatsApp status posted by Bajpai shortly after the first shooting. The message explicitly stated, "Today I killed my wife as she cheated on me… now I have to kill myself and my sister." By publicly documenting his intent and his motive—alleged infidelity—Bajpai left behind a digital trail that now serves as a primary focus for investigators attempting to reconstruct the timeline and the emotional state of the perpetrator.
Broader Implications of Domestic Discord
This tragedy underscores the lethal potential of unresolved marital disputes. While police are investigating the specific claims made in the WhatsApp status, the incident serves as a grim reminder of how private interpersonal conflicts can escalate into public violence. The involvement of the perpetrator’s sister, who was reportedly aware of the situation, suggests a complex family dynamic that may have been deteriorating for some time.
Community and Institutional Response
ADCP (East) Amol Murkut and local law enforcement have been tasked with piecing together the events. The fact that the crime occurred in a high-traffic area outside a financial institution adds a layer of public trauma to the event. Co-workers of the victim have been interviewed, providing context regarding Divya Mishra’s tenure at the bank, as authorities continue to verify the claims made in the perpetrator's final messages.
Conclusion
As the investigation into the lives of Manas and Divya Bajpai continues, the incident stands as a somber case study in the dangers of domestic escalation. The digital footprint left by the perpetrator provides a chilling insight into the motive, yet it does little to mitigate the loss of three lives. Law enforcement remains focused on confirming the details of the marital dispute to provide a definitive account of this senseless act of violence.
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