The shocking murder of a Bengaluru dermatologist has sent ripples through the medical community and the city at large, revealing a chilling tale of deceit, betrayal, and premeditation. New details have emerged in the case of Dr. Kruthika M Reddy, a 29-year-old dermatologist, who was allegedly murdered by her husband, Dr. Mahendra Reddy, a general surgeon, in April 2025. The case, which remained unexplained for months, only came to light after a breakthrough forensic investigation, exposing a disturbing sequence of events.

Background

Dr. Kruthika M Reddy was a rising star in her field. She completed her MBBS from Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, her MD from Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, and later earned a DNB in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). Ambitious and talented, she had been planning to launch her own clinic, Skin & Scalpel, in Bengaluru on May 4, 2025, just days after her untimely death.

Kruthika and Mahendra Reddy had married on May 26, 2024. By all accounts, the marriage seemed conventional, but behind closed doors, a darker story was unfolding.

The Death and Initial Investigation

In April 2025, Kruthika reportedly fell ill and was rushed to a nearby hospital in Ayyappa Layout, Munnekolalu. Despite her medical condition, the attending doctors declared her brought dead. Mahendra, her husband and a doctor himself, attempted to misrepresent her death as natural. Family members, grieving and trusting the medical assessment, initially accepted that she had died of illness or fatigue.

However, the case took a decisive turn six months later. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) conducted an analysis and detected traces of anaesthetic agents in her body. This finding contradicted the initial assessment and led investigators to reclassify the case as murder, culminating in Mahendra Reddy’s arrest on October 14, 2025. Investigators concluded that Kruthika had died from respiratory failure caused by an overdose of anaesthetic drugsadministered intravenously by her husband.

Five Chilling Details

The case has since revealed several disturbing details, illustrating the calculated nature of the crime:

1. Pretext of Care, Reality of Poisoning
   Kruthika was reportedly staying at her father’s house in Marathahalli, Bengaluru, when she fell unconscious due to fatigue and illness. Mahendra visited her under the guise of providing medical care. Over two days, he administered intravenous (IV) injections containing anaesthetic agents, ostensibly for her treatment. In reality, these injections were part of a deliberate plan to end her life.
2. Warnings Ignored and Fatal Injection
   On April 23, two days after the first injection, Kruthika complained of pain at the IV site. Instead of addressing her discomfort, Mahendra allegedly sent a WhatsApp message advising her not to remove the IV. That night, around 9:30 PM, he reportedly administered another dose. By the next day, Kruthika was found unresponsive. Shockingly, Mahendra, despite being a doctor, did not attempt CPR or any resuscitative measures. She was later declared dead by the hospital staff.
3. Family Suspicion and Filing of Unnatural Death Report (UDR)
   Initially, Kruthika’s family accepted that her death was natural. However, her sister, Dr. Nikitha Reddy, insisted on understanding the exact cause of death. Based on her insistence and a hospital memo, the police filed an Unnatural Death Report (UDR), setting the stage for forensic scrutiny. The six-month delay before the FSL report underscores the meticulous planning by the accused, who had attempted to mask the murder as an ordinary death.
4. Evidence of Extramarital Affair
   A forensic analysis of Mahendra’s phone revealed that the 32-year-old surgeon was reportedly involved in a relationship with another woman. Investigators believe that the murder may have been motivated by his extramarital affair, highlighting a disturbing combination of personal betrayal and premeditated homicide.
5. Message to the Lover After the Crime
   Perhaps the most chilling detail emerged from digital evidence. Investigators found that shortly after committing the murder, Mahendra had sent a message to his lover via a digital payment app, stating:

“I killed my wife for you.”

This explicit confession, sent digitally, not only underscores the cold-blooded nature of the crime but also reveals a disturbing level of audacity and lack of remorse.

Legal and Investigative Developments

Following his arrest, Mahendra has been taken into custody for questioning. Authorities are investigating the sequence of events leading up to Kruthika’s death, the nature of the IV injections administered, and the digital communications that point to premeditation.

The case has drawn widespread attention not only because of the shocking nature of the crime but also due to the professional background of both the victim and the accused. It has raised questions about trust, marital relationships, and the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals.

Broader Implications

The murder highlights several concerning aspects:

• Misuse of Medical Knowledge: Mahendra allegedly used his expertise as a surgeon to administer a fatal overdose, exploiting his professional knowledge to commit murder.
• Digital Evidence in Criminal Cases: The WhatsApp messages and payment app communication provided crucial evidence linking the accused to both the act and his motive.
• Forensic Breakthroughs: The delayed FSL report played a pivotal role in uncovering the truth, demonstrating the importance of forensic science in criminal investigations.

Conclusion

The Bengaluru doctor murder case is a tragic reminder of how betrayal, premeditation, and misuse of professional expertise can converge into a horrifying crime. From the IV injections administered under the pretext of care to the incriminating message sent to a lover, each detail paints a picture of cold calculation.

As the investigation continues, authorities are likely to uncover even more about Mahendra’s motives, methods, and planning. Meanwhile, the case has deeply affected the local medical community and the public, sparking conversations about ethics, marital trust, and the critical role of forensic science in delivering justice.

Kruthika M Reddy, remembered for her dedication to dermatology and her entrepreneurial ambitions, had her life cut tragically short at 29. Her story, though marred by betrayal, is a stark reminder of the value of forensic vigilance and the enduring pursuit of truth in the face of calculated deception.