Double Murder-Suicide Rocks Lucknow: Pragya Mishra’s Sister Shot Dead by Husband Manas Vajpayee, Accused Kills Sister Before Suicide
Lucknow was shocked August 20 when SBI employee Manas Vajpayee shot his estranged wife Divya Mishra outside ICICI Bank in Gomti Nagar, then killed his sister Shiva before taking his own life. Divya, sister of YouTuber Pragya Mishra, had filed for divorce last year. Manas posted a chilling WhatsApp status before dying. Police recovered illegal weapons and are investigating.
A double murder followed by a suicide has shocked Lucknow after an SBI bank employee, named Manas Vajpayee, allegedly shot his estranged wife, identified as Divya Mishra, outside her ICICI Bank branch in Gomti Nagar on Thursday afternoon, August 20, then returned home to kill his sister before taking his own life.
The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight in the city's upscale Gomti Nagar area, has triggered a high-profile police investigation and drawn attention due to the victim's connection to journalist and YouTuber Pragya Mishra. Lucknow Shocker: MNC Employee Killed by Former Lover Days After Engagement, UP Police Arrest Accused.
Pragya Mishra’s Sister Shot Dead by Husband Manas Vajpayee
लखनऊ में पत्नी और बहन की हत्या कर सुसाइड करने वाले मानस वाजपेई ने व्हाट्स एप पर स्टेटस लिखा –
"आज मैंने अपनी पत्नी को मार डाला, क्योंकि उसने मुझे धोखा दिया था। अब मुझे खुद को और अपनी बहन को भी मारना होगा। उसकी बहन प्रज्ञा और भरत को सब पता है"
प्रज्ञा मिश्रा लखनऊ की वरिष्ठ… https://t.co/tyyG7GlLOR pic.twitter.com/fUBy3z8hTw
— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) August 20, 2026
थाना गोमतीनगर क्षेत्रांतर्गत पति द्वारा महिला की हत्या करने तथा अपने बहन की हत्या व खुद को गोली मारने की घटना के संबन्ध में @east_dcp द्वारा दी गयी बाइट।@Uppolice pic.twitter.com/NZni6o9cxt
— LUCKNOW POLICE (@lkopolice) August 20, 2026
Double Murder-Suicide Rocks Lucknow
Manas Vajpayee, a 38-year-old Senior Assistant at State Bank of India, allegedly called his wife Divya Mishra outside the ICICI Bank branch where she worked as an assistant manager around noon on Thursday. Eyewitnesses told police that the couple spoke for a few minutes before Manas shot Divya and fled the scene.
Divya was rushed to Lohia Hospital, where she was declared brought dead, according to police. The couple had been married for 12 years but had been living separately for over a year, with Divya having filed for divorce last year. Lucknow Shocker: Upset Over Boyfriend’s Murder by Husband and Son, Married Woman Dies by Suicide in Uttar Pradesh.
Second Shooting At Home
After the shooting at the bank, Manas reportedly returned to his residence in Husadiya, where he shot his 28-year-old sister Shiva Vajpayee, who was reportedly dealing with mental health issues. He then turned the gun on himself.
A shopowner near Manas's house told NDTV that he returned home at around 12:30 pm. "Manas was in a hurry and sweating profusely. He went inside house and played Hanuman Chalisa," the shopowner said. Later, when the neighbour saw his WhatsApp status, he went inside the house and found Manas dead.
Chilling WhatsApp Status
In a disturbing development, Manas posted a WhatsApp status before killing himself, announcing that he had killed his wife and sister. "Today I killed my wife who cheated on me. Now I have to kill myself and my sister, her sister Pragya and everything," read the WhatsApp status.
The status also mentioned: "Pragya and Bharat knew everything." Police may question them as part of the investigation.
Family Connection To Journalist
The murder of bank employee Divya Mishra has caused a sensation in Lucknow, particularly due to her being the sister of YouTuber Pragya Mishra. Soon after the shooting, Pragya posted on social media regarding the murder.
"I just got a call that my sister has been shot. She has been taken to Lohia hospital. Please pray," she posted, tagging UP Police.
Police Investigation Underway
Lucknow Police Commissioner Tarun Gaba reached the spot and inspected the scene, gathering all available information. Lucknow Inspector General of Police Aparna Kumar told News18 that preliminary investigations revealed that the couple had a history of disagreements and frequent fights.
"The police are investigating the case from every angle. All details will be provided soon," Kumar said. Police recovered two illegal pistols and a revolver from the scene. Manas had brought illegal weapons with him, which he used to carry out the entire incident.
According to information, Manas's parents had already passed away, and he had an ailing sister in the family. A case had been pending between the couple in the family court for over a year.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2026 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
