A double murder and suicide has left Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) in shock after a bank employee allegedly shot his estranged wife outside her office and killed his sister before turning the weapon on himself. The deadly chain of events unfolded around midday on Thursday outside a bank branch in the upscale Gomti Nagar area.

The husband, identified in reports as Manas, worked for the State Bank of India. He had reportedly been waiting in an auto-rickshaw outside the ICICI Bank branch where his wife, 37-year-old Divya Mishra, worked as a relationship manager. At around 12:15 pm, he called her out to her car. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the couple speak for a few minutes before the husband suddenly shot her and fled the scene. Divya was rushed to Lohia Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The couple had been married for 12 years but had been living separately for over a year due to ongoing marital disputes. Police confirmed that formal divorce proceedings were already underway in court.

Social media warning and second shooting

Shortly after the first shooting, the husband uploaded a chilling message to his WhatsApp status. In the post, he claimed he had killed his wife because she had been unfaithful, and stated his intention to end his own life and that of his sister. He also named relatives whom he claimed knew the full situation.

A shopkeeper near the husband's house saw him return home at around 12:30 pm, sweating heavily and in a rush. The shopkeeper noted that he went inside and played religious prayers. A neighbour who saw the shocking WhatsApp status went to check on the family, only to find the tragedy had already occurred.

The husband had shot his 28-year-old sister, Sheeba, who was reportedly dealing with mental health issues, before turning the gun on himself in his home in the Husaria area.

Meanwhile, Divya's sister, Pragya Mishra, posted an urgent plea on social media, begging the Uttar Pradesh Police for help after receiving the news of the initial shooting.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Amol Murkut confirmed that five police teams have been formed to investigate the case, with officers currently scanning CCTV footage around the crime scenes.

(Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or thoughts of self-harm, seek professional support without delay. You can contact Tele-MANAS, a 24x7 mental health helpline by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, at 14416 or 1800-891-4416.)