Lucknow Banker's Murder-Suicide: Wife, Sister Killed Over Marital Dispute

In a deeply shocking and tragic incident that unfolded in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, an employee of the State Bank of India (SBI) carried out a double murder before dying by suicide. The accused first shot his estranged wife outside an ICICI Bank branch, then proceeded to his residence to kill his sister, and finally took his own life. The horrific sequence of events, widely reported by major Indian news outlets, has drawn significant attention across the nation. The incident began around 12:15 PM in the busy Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow. The SBI employee, whose name has been reported with some variations across different sources, including Manak Mishra, Manas Vajpayee, and Manas Bajpai, confronted his estranged wife, Divya Mishra, outside the ICICI Bank where she worked as a relationship manager. Divya Mishra, aged between 36 and 37 years, was reportedly in her car when her husband called her out. An argument ensued, and the accused allegedly opened fire on her in broad daylight, causing panic among eyewitnesses and bank employees. Divya sustained serious bullet injuries and collapsed at the spot. She was rushed to a hospital but was declared brought dead upon arrival. Following the shooting of his wife, the accused fled the scene. Reports indicate that he then made his way to his rented home near the Husadiya crossing, where he lived with his younger sister. Upon reaching the house, he allegedly shot his sister, identified as Sheeba Bajpai or Tulika, who was 33 years old. After committing the second murder, the SBI employee turned the weapon on himself, ending his own life. Multiple credible sources, including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, and The Indian Express, corroborated these facts, providing a consistent narrative of the tragic events. The primary motive behind this extreme act appears to be severe marital discord. It has been widely reported that the couple was experiencing ongoing issues, with some sources indicating that divorce proceedings between Divya Mishra and her husband were already underway for about a year. The accused reportedly harbored suspicions of infidelity, which he alluded to in a chilling WhatsApp status he posted before the final acts of violence. In this status, he allegedly confessed to killing his wife, accusing her of cheating, and declared his intention to kill himself and his sister, mentioning other individuals who he claimed were aware of the situation. The incident triggered immediate police action. Senior police officers, including ADCP (East) Amol Murkut, reached the crime scenes. Forensic teams were deployed to examine the areas and collect evidence. Five teams of police officers were reportedly formed to investigate the case thoroughly, including examining CCTV footage and other pertinent aspects to piece together the complete sequence of events and motives. Divya Mishra was also noted as the sister of popular YouTuber Pragya Mishra, adding another layer of public recognition to the tragedy. The parents of the accused and his sister had reportedly passed away, and they were living together in rented accommodation. The weapons used in the incident, which were described as illegal firearms in some reports, were recovered by the police. This devastating event highlights the severe consequences of unresolved domestic disputes and potential mental health issues, leading to an irreparable loss of life in broad daylight. The police investigation is ongoing to ascertain all circumstances surrounding these three deaths. The consistency of facts across various reputable news organizations reinforces the veracity of the core incident, although minor discrepancies exist regarding the exact full name of the perpetrator.

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