Lucknow: Police are probing if financial differences over an alleged Rs 1 crore alimony demand were a factor in the murder-suicide that took place in Lucknow.
Police sources said 38-year-old Manas Vajpayee allegedly fired at his wife Divya Mishra in Gomti Nagar outside the ICICI Bank branch at which she was employed. Later, it was reported that he killed his sister, Shiva Vajpayee, and then killed himself.
Manas and Divya were married for about 12 years but were reportedly staying away from each other for over a year. Last year Divya had filed for divorce and investigators are now looking at documents from the divorce proceedings.
Sources stated that the documents include details of the demands of the divorce settlement, such as Rs 1 crore alimony claimed by Divya Mishra.
The divorce case had been brought up in a local court two days before the murders. During the hearing, the couple’s alleged demand for alimony payments was reviewed and might have escalated the conflict between the estranged couple, the police said.
Investigators are trying to determine if the financial dispute was a motive in the killings.
Police are also investigating another reported conflict in the couple’s relationship where Manas’ sister, Shiva, was said to be suffering from mental illness. The couple allegedly opposed the arrangement, as Shiva had been staying with him and her.
There were some issues regarding Shiva’s condition and her being present in the household, which had caused frequent clashes between Manas and Divya, reports state. Police continue investigating the divorce papers, financial row and family feuds to determine what led up to the murders.