Now Reading: Locked iPhones, alimony dispute mark Lucknow murder-suicide probe
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Locked iPhones, alimony dispute mark Lucknow murder-suicide probe
Police investigating the August 20 murder-suicide in Lucknow are trying to unlock two iPhone 17s recovered from the residence of bank employee Manas Bajpai and his wife Divya Mishra. Manas allegedly shot Divya outside her workplace, killed his sister Sheeba Bajpai, and then died by suicide. Investigators believe the locked phones could contain call logs, messages, and location data revealing his motive and timeline, including a possible link to an August 18 family court hearing.
Hindustan Times reports that a dispute over a Rs 1.5-crore alimony settlement and living arrangements, specifically Divya’s refusal to live with Sheeba, may have driven the killings. Court documents show Divya filed for divorce in January 2026 citing cruelty and dowry harassment, while Manas sought restitution of conjugal rights, claiming desertion. Both families offered conflicting accounts at the crematorium.
Three unlicensed firearms were recovered from the house. The next family court hearing was scheduled for October 6, 2026. Police are also probing how Manas procured the weapons.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Hindustan Times presents the story as a straight factual report, leading with the locked phones as evidence and detailing both sides of the divorce dispute without editorialising. The framing is neutral-report: it does not favour either family’s account and avoids sensationalising the violence. The coverage of the alimony figure and the couple’s contrasting court petitions gives a balanced picture of a troubled marriage. A careful reader should note that while police suspect premeditation tied to the court hearing, the motive remains unconfirmed. The key detail to watch is whether forensic data from the iPhones confirms the planning timeline or reveals new leads.
Coverage: 2 sources, 1 neutral
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
