A regular workday at an ICICI Bank branch in Lucknow turned into a deadly sequence of events on Thursday, 20 August.
Divya Mishra, a relationship manager at the bank's Gomti Nagar branch, was allegedly shot by her husband, Manas Bajpayee, outside her workplace. He then returned home, where his sister was found dead. Manas was later found dead as well, in what police said was a suicide.
The entire sequence unfolded in roughly two hours. A WhatsApp status, CCTV footage and three recovered weapons are now part of the police investigation.
12:05 pm: Divya Reaches The Bank
Divya arrived at the ICICI Bank branch in Gomti Nagar at around 12:05 pm in her car with a colleague.
According to police, Manas was waiting nearby in an auto-rickshaw. He allegedly approached Divya when she arrived.
Minutes Later: The Shooting
Police said Manas asked Divya to step out of the car and assaulted her before allegedly shooting her.
CCTV footage captured the confrontation outside the bank. Divya was taken to hospital, where she was declared dead, police said.
Her co-workers identified the attacker as her husband, according to police. Manas then fled the spot in his car.
Around 12:30 pm: He Returns Home
Manas reached his home in Husadiya, around 2 km from the bank.
Soon after, a WhatsApp status allegedly posted from his account referred to Divya's "betrayal". The post also indicated that he intended to kill his sister and himself.
Police are examining the WhatsApp status as part of the investigation and have not yet established all the details surrounding it.
1:26 pm: Divya's Sister Gets The News
At around 1:26 pm, Divya's sister, journalist and YouTuber Pragya Mishra, posted that she had received information that her sister had been shot.
By then, the situation at Manas's residence was also escalating.
1:30 pm: Another Shooting Is Reported
Police received another call about a shooting at Manas's residence.
Manas had reportedly returned home and locked himself inside. People nearby later alerted police about what was happening inside the house.
Around 1:40 pm: Police Reach The House
Police reached the residence at around 1:40 pm.
Manas's sister, Shiva, was found dead inside the house. Manas was also found dead.
Police said he had allegedly killed his sister before dying by suicide. Investigators recovered three unlicensed weapons from locations connected to the case.
What Was Happening In The Marriage?
Divya and Manas had been married for around 12 years and had been living separately. Divya had reportedly filed for divorce.
Her sister Pragya Mishra alleged that Divya had faced physical and emotional abuse during the marriage and wanted to separate from Manas. These allegations have not been independently established.
Pragya alleged that Manas would beat Divya over minor issues. She cited the example of a rotten tomato ordered online.
"If a tomato ordered from Blinkit turned out to be bad, he would beat her over it," Pragya said.
Pragya also said Divya had told her that Manas had argued with a counsellor at the family court.
Yet, according to Pragya, Divya still hoped the relationship could improve. She said Divya had recently observed a Teej fast for Manas and had his name tattooed on her hand.
Pragya said Divya wanted him to change.
She further alleged that Manas had stalked Divya and that the stress had affected her. She said Divya had recently suffered an accident and was still limping.
These claims were made by Divya's sister and remain allegations.
What Police Are Investigating
Police are investigating the shooting outside the bank, the deaths at the second location, the WhatsApp status and the weapons recovered during the investigation.
The marital dispute is also being examined as a possible motive. Police have not yet established every detail behind the sequence of events.
The case therefore moved from a shooting outside a workplace to a second crime scene at a nearby residence within roughly two hours.
The investigation will now focus on establishing exactly what happened between the two locations and what led to the violence.
TL;DR | News At Glance
What happened in Lucknow?
Divya Mishra was allegedly shot by her husband outside her ICICI Bank workplace.
What happened next?
Her husband returned home, where his sister was found dead. He later died by suicide.
How quickly did it happen?
The sequence unfolded within roughly two hours on August 20.
What did Divya's sister allege?
Pragya Mishra alleged that Divya had faced physical and emotional abuse during the marriage and wanted to separate.
What did Pragya say about Teej?
She said Divya had recently observed a Teej fast for Manas and still hoped he would change.
What are police investigating?
Police are examining the shootings, the WhatsApp status, the weapons, the marital dispute and the circumstances surrounding the three deaths.
