Tragedy in Lucknow: What was supposed to be a simple midday meeting turned into a nightmare in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar area. In a shocking sequence of events, a State Bank of India (SBI) field officer allegedly orchestrated a brutal crime, claiming the lives of his estranged wife and his mentally ill sister before turning the weapon on himself.
The incident, which took place in broad daylight, has left families, neighbors, and colleagues in absolute disbelief. Police and forensic teams rushed to the scene immediately, launching a comprehensive probe into the deeply unsettling tragedy.
Step-by-Step Chronology of the Horrific Crime
12:05 PM – The Initial Attack: The accused, 35-year-old Manas Bajpayei, arrived outside an ICICI bank branch in a car. He called his 33-year-old wife, Divya Mishra, out of the office. After a brief conversation, he shot her in the head, killing her on the spot, and fled the scene.
12:30 PM – Return Home: Just 25 minutes later, Manas reached his rented accommodation near Husaidia crossing, roughly 2 kilometers away. Witnesses noted he looked visibly shaken and was drenched in sweat.
Inside the House: Upon entering, he locked the door from the inside and turned on the television, cranking the volume up to play the Hanuman Chalisa.
The Second Shooting: He then shot his 28-year-old sister, Sheeba, who had been battling mental illness and depression for years. Reportedly, Manas lived in constant fear over who would care for her after his passing.
The Final Act: Moments later, Manas shot himself in the temple. Alerted by gunshots and an alarming WhatsApp status update, neighbors broke open the door to find the lifeless, blood-soaked bodies of the siblings.
A Chilling WhatsApp Status Before the Act
Tragedy in Lucknow: Before ending his life, Manas posted a chilling confession on WhatsApp. The status read:
“I have killed my wife because she betrayed me. Now I have to kill myself and my sister too. Her sister Pragya and Pragya’s husband Bharat Yadav know everything.”
However, family members strongly refuted these allegations. Divya’s cousin, Mayank Dixit, stated that Pragya (a well-known YouTuber running the channel Ulta Chasma) and her husband had no prior knowledge of the marital discord. Mayank described Manas as having psychological issues, noting that the couple had been locked in a bitter divorce battle for over a year, forcing Divya to live separately in Alambang.
Divya, who worked as an assistant manager and relationship manager at ICICI Bank, had filed for divorce 12 years into their marriage. The couple did not have any children.
Police Investigation and Forensics Findings
Tragedy in Lucknow: Lucknow Police Commissioner Tarun Gaba personally inspected the crime scene alongside forensic experts. Authorities recovered two pistols and one country-made weapon (tamancha) from the house.
Preliminary findings indicate that Manas used calculated precision, targeting the heads of all three victims. Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examinations and are recording formal statements from both families.
Neighbors like Ankur Prakash and local shopkeepers recalled the siblings as polite individuals, though they acknowledged that the sister’s prolonged mental health struggles had placed immense emotional strain on the household.
As the investigation deepens, authorities are piecing together digital footprints, forensic evidence, and witness testimonies to understand the exact breakdown that led to this catastrophic loss of life.
Also Read : Kolkata Hotel Fire: 9 Dead Including Child on Mirza Ghalib Street; Safety Violations Suspected