YTC Ventures | Technocrat’ Magazine
Bengaluru, October 16, 2025
In a chilling case that has sent shockwaves through Bengaluru’s medical community, a prominent surgeon has been arrested for allegedly murdering his young wife—a fellow doctor—by administering a fatal overdose of anaesthesia just months after their wedding.
The meticulously planned killing, disguised as routine medical treatment, was uncovered six months later through forensic evidence, revealing a betrayal that turned a husband’s “care” into a deadly crime.
The Fatal “Treatment”
Dr. Kruthika M. Reddy, a 28-year-old dermatologist known for her dedication and ambition, died on April 24, 2025, after being rushed to Cauvery Hospital in Bengaluru in an unresponsive state. At the time, her death was attributed to natural causes, stemming from complications related to gastritis—a condition her husband, Dr. Mahendra Reddy, claimed to be treating at home.
But what began as a seemingly tragic medical mishap has now been exposed as cold-blooded murder.According to police investigations, Mahendra, a 32-year-old general surgeon and surgical resident at the Institute of Gastroenterology Sciences and Organ Transplant (IGOT) at Victoria Hospital, exploited his medical expertise to inject his wife with multiple doses of Propofol, a powerful intravenous anaesthetic restricted to operating theatres and intensive care settings. Propofol induces unconsciousness and can cause respiratory failure if overdosed, making it a silent and undetectable killer in non-hospital environments.
The incident unfolded over several days in late April. From April 21, Mahendra allegedly administered the drug under the guise of home treatment for Kruthika’s gastric issues, ignoring her pleas to remove the cannula due to excruciating pain. On the day of her death, he reportedly failed to perform basic life-saving measures like CPR, even as she lay unconscious. Instead, he rushed her to the hospital only after it was too late, where she was declared dead on arrival.
A Marriage Marred by Suspicion
The couple, both employed at Victoria Hospital, had tied the knot in a seemingly joyous ceremony on May 26, 2024—less than a year before the tragedy. Kruthika, who had earned her MBBS from Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, MD from Navodaya Medical College in Raichur, and DNB in Dermatology from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), was on the cusp of a bright future.
She was set to inaugurate her own dermatology clinic, “Skin & Scalp,” in Bengaluru on May 4, 2025—just days after her untimely death.However, cracks in the marriage surfaced early. Kruthika’s family later alleged that Mahendra neglected her post-wedding and showed signs of emotional detachment. Whispers of an extramarital affair—rumored to involve a woman from Mahendra’s college days in Mumbai—added fuel to the growing distrust. “He seemed unhappy about [the clinic opening],” said a family member in a statement to investigators, highlighting Mahendra’s apparent resentment toward her professional independence.Kruthika’s sister, Nikitha M. Reddy, a radiologist, played a pivotal role in unraveling the truth. Harboring a “hunch” that something was amiss, she pushed for deeper scrutiny despite the initial unnatural death report filed by police.
Her persistence led to the exhumation of Kruthika’s body and a detailed forensic analysis, which confirmed the presence of toxic levels of Propofol in her viscera samples.
The Arrest and Investigation
Mahendra’s arrest came swiftly on October 14, 2025, when Marathahalli Police apprehended him in Manipal, a coastal university town in Udupi district, about 400 km from Bengaluru. He had fled there under the pretense of work, but forensic breakthroughs closed in.The turning point was the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, which detected the anaesthetic in Kruthika’s body and linked it to syringes and IV fluids recovered from their Munnekollal home by the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) team.
What was initially registered as an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) was reclassified as murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).During interrogation, Mahendra reportedly showed no remorse, maintaining his innocence and insisting the death was natural. However, police sources claim he confessed to the act, revealing a premeditated plan to stage the overdose as medical negligence. “He used his knowledge not to heal, but to harm,” said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, praising the investigative team’s diligence in “unraveling a murder disguised as a medical tragedy.”Adding layers to the case, Mahendra’s family history raises red flags.
His twin brother, Dr. Nagendra Reddy GS, was implicated in multiple cheating and criminal cases at HAL Police Station in 2018. Mahendra himself, along with another brother, Raghava Reddy GS, faced accusations in 2023 for allegedly threatening the family of the same complainant. While unrelated to this murder, these incidents paint a picture of a troubled background that investigators are now probing for potential motives.
A Dark Shadow Over the Medical Fraternity
This case has ignited outrage in Bengaluru’s medical circles, where trust between colleagues—and spouses—is paramount. Kruthika’s family filed the initial complaint, accusing Mahendra of malafide intent from the outset. “He claimed she was not in good health… but injecting sedatives shows clear malice,” Singh noted, emphasizing the role of family vigilance in cracking the case.As Mahendra remains in police custody, the investigation continues, with authorities examining his professional conduct, financial records, and possible accomplices.
The couple’s shared workplace at Victoria Hospital is cooperating fully, but questions linger about how such a restricted drug like Propofol ended up in a home setting.Kruthika’s story—a brilliant young doctor poised for success, cut down in her prime—serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities hidden behind white coats. Her family’s quest for justice has exposed a heinous betrayal, but it comes at the irreplaceable cost of a life full of promise.The Marathahalli Police urge anyone with information to come forward.
This case remains under active investigation, with further developments expected soon.Grok News Desk compiles this report based on official police statements and verified sources. Our thoughts are with Dr. Kruthika Reddy’s family during this difficult time.
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