SBI Employee Shoots Estranged Wife Dead, Kills Sister and Self in Lucknow

The status, which appeared on Bajpai's WhatsApp account, accused his estranged wife of cheating.

LUCKNOW: “Today I killed my wife as she cheated on me… now I have to kill myself and my sister. Her sister Pragya and Bharat knows everything," those were the words in a WhatsApp status allegedly posted by a State Bank of India employee shortly after he shot dead his estranged wife outside her workplace in Lucknow on Thursday. Manas Bajpai, 38, then reportedly returned to his rented home, where he allegedly shot his younger sister before turning the gun on himself. Police are investigating the WhatsApp status, the couple's marital dispute and the sequence of events that led to the three deaths.

WhatsApp status raises questions

The status, which allegedly appeared on Bajpai's WhatsApp account, accused his estranged wife of cheating and suggested he intended to kill himself and his sister. It also named Divya's sister, YouTuber Pragya Mishra and a man identified as Bharat, saying they “know everything”. Police are examining the message as part of their investigation. The allegations made in the status have not been independently verified.

Wife shot outside ICICI Bank

Bajpai allegedly reached the ICICI Bank branch in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar area around noon, where his wife Divya Mishra, 36, worked as an assistant manager and relationship manager. He reportedly called Divya and asked her to come outside. After the two spoke for some time, Bajpai allegedly opened fire at her. Divya suffered serious bullet injuries and collapsed outside the bank. Employees and local residents rushed to the spot as panic spread through the area.

Marital dispute under scanner

Police are looking into the couple's marital relationship as a possible motive. Divya had reportedly approached a court about a year ago seeking a divorce from Bajpai. She lived in Alambagh and was also the sister of YouTuber Pragya Mishra, 34. Investigators are examining whether the ongoing marital dispute was linked to the shooting.

From bank to rented home

After allegedly shooting Divya, Bajpai reportedly travelled to his rented accommodation near Husadiya crossing, where he lived with his younger sister. A local fast-food shop owner, identified as Lavkush, told reporters that Bajpai arrived at the house around 12.30pm. He was reportedly sweating heavily and appeared disturbed before entering the room and shutting the door. People outside the house later heard sounds coming from inside. Police said Bajpai had allegedly shot his younger sister, identified as Tulika, 33, before turning the firearm on himself. Officers who reached the house found both siblings inside.

Investigation underway

Senior police officers reached the scene soon after the shootings, while forensic teams examined both locations and collected evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the ICICI Bank area, call records and other digital evidence to track Bajpai’s movements between the bank and his residence. They are also looking into the couple’s marital dispute and any communication between them before the shooting. The weapon used in the killings, along with other forensic evidence, is being examined as part of the investigation.