Lucknow, August 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Police investigating the Lucknow double murder-suicide case are examining an alleged financial dispute between the accused and his estranged wife, including a reported demand for Rs 1 crore as part of their divorce settlement.
According to police, 38-year-old Manas Vajpayee allegedly shot dead his wife, Divya Mishra, outside the ICICI Bank branch in Gomti Nagar where she worked. He allegedly returned home afterwards, shot his 28-year-old sister, Shiva Vajpayee, and then died by suicide.
Investigators are examining documents connected with the couple’s divorce proceedings. Police sources said Manas and Divya had been married for around 12 years but had been living separately for more than a year.
Divya had reportedly filed for divorce last year. Investigators are now examining allegations that she had sought Rs 1 crore as alimony or as part of a financial settlement. Documents related to the divorce case have reportedly been recovered and are being scrutinised.
The divorce proceedings had come up before a local court two days before the killings, with the alleged financial settlement reportedly forming part of the discussions. Police are investigating whether the dispute contributed to the killings.
Investigators are also examining the couple’s strained relationship and disagreements concerning Shiva, who was reportedly experiencing mental health issues. Shiva had been living with the couple, and police are looking into whether disagreements over her care and condition further aggravated tensions between Manas and Divya.
Meanwhile, Divya’s sister, YouTuber Pragya Mishra, has accused Manas of physically abusing her sister during their marriage. In a social media post on Friday, Pragya alleged that Manas became violent over minor issues and claimed that Divya wanted to separate from him because of his alleged behaviour.
Pragya also questioned how Manas obtained the firearms allegedly used in the incident.
Police said Manas, who worked with the State Bank of India, had called Divya outside her workplace in Gomti Nagar on Thursday. After the two reportedly spoke for a few minutes, Manas allegedly opened fire. Divya was taken to a hospital, where she was declared brought dead.
Manas then allegedly returned to his residence, where he shot Shiva before turning the weapon on himself.
Investigators also found that Manas had posted a WhatsApp status before his death in which he allegedly claimed responsibility for the killings and made allegations against his wife.
Police are continuing to investigate the sequence of events, the alleged divorce settlement dispute, the source of the firearms and other possible motives behind the incident.
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