Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Lucknow Double Murder-Suicide Probe Focuses on Rs 1 Crore Settlement
Police are investigating the deaths of three members of a family in Lucknow.
Manas Vajpayee allegedly shot his wife, Divya Mishra, outside the bank where she worked.
He then allegedly went home and killed his sister, Shiva Vajpayee.
Police said Manas later died by suicide.
Manas and Divya had been married for about 12 years but had lived apart for more than a year.
They were involved in a divorce case, and police are checking a reported Rs 1 crore settlement demand.
Investigators are also examining disagreements about Shiva’s care and mental-health issues.
Divya’s sister said Manas had physically abused Divya.
A WhatsApp status reportedly showed Manas claiming responsibility and accusing his wife.
Manas Vajpayee allegedly shot his wife, Divya Mishra, outside her ICICI Bank workplace in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.
Police said Vajpayee then allegedly killed his 28-year-old sister, Shiva Vajpayee, before dying by suicide.
Investigators are examining whether a reported Rs 1 crore divorce-settlement or alimony demand contributed to the killings.
Manas and Divya had been married for about 12 years, lived separately for more than a year, and were pursuing divorce.
Divya’s sister, Pragya Mishra, alleged domestic abuse, while police also examined disputes involving Shiva’s reported mental-health issues.
- Who
- Manas Vajpayee, his wife Divya Mishra, and his sister Shiva Vajpayee died in the incident; Divya’s sister Pragya Mishra made abuse allegations.
- What
- Manas allegedly killed his wife and sister before dying by suicide; police are investigating the motive.
- When
- The killings occurred on Thursday, two days after the divorce case was reportedly heard in court.
- Where
- Divya was shot outside the ICICI Bank branch in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow; Shiva and Manas were later found at their home.
- Why
- Police are examining a reported Rs 1 crore divorce-settlement demand, disputes over Shiva’s care, and other relationship conflicts; Divya’s sister alleged domestic abuse.
Police Investigative Leads
Family Abuse Allegations
Possible motive
Police Investigative Leads
Police are investigating whether the reported Rs 1 crore divorce-settlement demand and the recent court hearing contributed to the killings.
Family Abuse Allegations
Divya’s sister said the central issue was Manas’s alleged cruelty and physical abuse, which she said led Divya to seek separation.
Relationship conflict
Police Investigative Leads
Investigators are examining reported arguments over Shiva’s mental-health issues and her living arrangements with the couple.
Family Abuse Allegations
Divya’s family portrayed the relationship as abusive and alleged that Manas became violent over minor matters.
Access to firearms
Police Investigative Leads
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the firearms allegedly used in the killings and suicide.
Family Abuse Allegations
Pragya Mishra questioned how Manas obtained access to the revolvers allegedly used.
- Deaths
- Divya Mishra, Shiva Vajpayee, and Manas Vajpayee died in the incident.
- Reported sequence
- Manas allegedly shot Divya outside her workplace, killed Shiva at home, and then died by suicide.
- Settlement dispute
- Police are examining a reported Rs 1 crore alimony or divorce-settlement demand.
- Marriage
- Manas and Divya had been married for approximately 12 years.
- Separation
- The couple had reportedly lived separately for more than a year.
- Court hearing
- The divorce case was reportedly heard two days before the killings, when the financial settlement allegedly came up.
- Additional leads
- Investigators are examining disputes about Shiva’s reported mental-health issues and documents from the divorce proceedings.
- Reported evidence
- Police reportedly recovered divorce-case documents and found a WhatsApp status in which Manas claimed responsibility.
