A shocking chain of violence unfolded in Lucknow on Thursday after an SBI employee allegedly shot his estranged wife outside her workplace and later killed his sister before dying by suicide, police said.
The incident has raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the family dispute and the events that preceded the shootings.
Wife Shot Outside ICICI Bank
The first incident took place outside an ICICI Bank branch in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar area. The victim, identified as 36-year-old Divya Mishra, was working at the bank as a relationship manager/assistant manager.
According to the preliminary investigation, Divya had come outside the branch after allegedly receiving a call from her husband, Manas Bajpai. He then allegedly opened fire at her.
Divya had reportedly been living separately from Bajpai and had approached a court about a year ago in connection with divorce proceedings.
Alleged WhatsApp Status Surfaces
After the shooting, an alleged WhatsApp status linked to Bajpai surfaced online. The message reportedly contained accusations against Divya and referred to members of both families.
However, the authenticity of the status and when exactly it was posted have not been independently established. Investigators are expected to examine the digital material along with other evidence to determine whether it was genuinely posted by Bajpai.
Police Trace Accused To Another Location
Following the attack outside the bank, police launched a search for Bajpai. He was subsequently traced to the Husaria area of Lucknow.
Police allege that Bajpai shot his sister, identified as Sheeba Bajpai, at the location. He then allegedly used the weapon on himself.
Both incidents are now part of the same investigation, with officers attempting to establish the sequence of events and the motive behind the violence.
CCTV, Digital Evidence Under Investigation
Police and forensic teams have examined the locations connected to the incident. CCTV recordings, call details, digital evidence and other material are being examined to reconstruct what happened.
Investigators are also looking into the couple’s relationship, their reported marital dispute and the circumstances surrounding the divorce proceedings.
The case has shocked Lucknow, with investigators now working to establish the complete timeline and determine what led to the fatal shootings.
