In a chilling case that has shaken Bengaluru’s medical community, a 32-year-old general surgeon, Mahendra Reddy, was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife, Kruthika Reddy, a dermatologist, by administering lethal doses of anesthetic drugs over a period of two days. The arrest comes six months after Kruthika’s death, following conclusive forensic evidence that confirmed the use of anesthesia in her death, which was initially treated as natural.

Background of the Case

Mahendra and Kruthika Reddy had married on May 26 of the previous year, uniting two medical professionals. Kruthika, a dermatologist, had recently been planning to open her own clinic, Skin & Scalpel, in Bengaluru, highlighting her entrepreneurial ambitions alongside her medical practice. According to family sources, Kruthika’s father, Muni Reddy, was actively involved in her professional and personal life and described his daughter as believing that her marriage was founded on mutual respect and love.

However, the marriage soon became the center of a tragic investigation. On April 23, Kruthika reportedly fell unconscious while staying at her father’s home in Marathahalli. She was immediately taken to a private hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. At the time, the death was classified under an Unnatural Death Report (UDR), based on the hospital’s initial documentation, and no suspicion of foul play was immediately raised.

Forensic Investigation and Arrest

The case remained dormant until forensic analysis by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) revealed traces of anesthetic substances in Kruthika’s system. The FSL concluded that her death was due to respiratory failure caused by an overdose of anesthesia, prompting police to reclassify the case as a homicide.

Following the forensic report, Bengaluru police arrested Mahendra Reddy on October 14, 2025, under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with murder. Whitefield Deputy Commissioner of Police M. Parashuram described the crime as meticulously planned, noting that Mahendra exploited his professional knowledge of anesthetics and his understanding of his wife’s medical vulnerabilities. “Mahendra had planned his wife’s murder meticulously. He knew her medical vulnerabilities and used his professional knowledge to exploit them. The evidence shows deliberate and precise use of anesthetic drugs,” the DCP said.

Motive and Method

According to police reports, Mahendra was reportedly distressed after discovering that Kruthika suffered from long-standing gastric and metabolic disorders, information that her family allegedly withheld prior to the marriage. Investigators believe that this revelation may have contributed to his motive, as he allegedly harbored resentment and frustration over the undisclosed medical conditions.

The police further allege that Mahendra visited Kruthika under the guise of providing medical care. Over two days, he allegedly administered intravenous injections containing anesthetic agents, gradually leading to her loss of consciousness and eventual death. The calculated nature of the act, coupled with Mahendra’s medical expertise, initially allowed the death to appear natural and evade immediate suspicion.

Family Response and Public Reaction

Kruthika’s father, Muni Reddy, who filed the complaint against Mahendra, expressed his grief and shock at the betrayal by a person entrusted with his daughter’s care. “Our daughter believed her marriage was built on respect and love. But the same medical knowledge that should have healed others was used to end her life,” he said. The statement underscores the sense of betrayal and violation felt by the family, as well as the public outrage over a case in which professional knowledge was allegedly weaponized to commit murder.

The case has sparked broader concern in Bengaluru’s medical community regarding the misuse of professional expertise. Hospitals and practitioners are reportedly reviewing protocols for monitoring drug administration and patient care, especially in private settings where oversight may be limited.

Legal Proceedings

Following his arrest, Mahendra Reddy has maintained his composure and continues to claim innocence, despite mounting evidence. Legal experts suggest that the case will involve detailed examination of forensic evidence, medical records, witness testimony, and expert opinions regarding the administration of anesthetics. The prosecution is likely to focus on demonstrating premeditation, knowledge of medical vulnerabilities, and deliberate misuse of professional skills to commit homicide.

The use of anesthetic drugs in homicide cases presents complex challenges for investigators and prosecutors. While forensic technology can detect the presence of substances postmortem, establishing intent, timing, and precise administration requires careful reconstruction of events, often including expert testimony from toxicologists and medical practitioners.

Broader Implications

This case highlights several broader issues within both medical and legal spheres. First, it underscores the potential for professional expertise to be misused for criminal purposes. The trust placed in medical professionals, both by patients and families, is significant, and breaches of that trust have profound personal and societal ramifications.

Second, the case emphasizes the importance of forensic investigation in uncovering crimes that may initially appear natural or accidental. The six-month gap between Kruthika’s death and Mahendra’s arrest demonstrates how advances in forensic science can correct initial misclassifications and ensure accountability.

Finally, the case raises questions about domestic safety and the vulnerability of individuals within seemingly stable and professional households. It serves as a reminder that domestic relationships, even among highly educated and professional couples, can sometimes conceal underlying tensions or risks.

Conclusion

The arrest of Mahendra Reddy in Bengaluru for the alleged premeditated murder of his wife, Kruthika Reddy, using anesthetic drugs, is a stark and tragic example of how professional knowledge can be misused to commit violent crimes. The meticulous planning, the exploitation of medical vulnerabilities, and the initial masking of the death as natural underscore the complex challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating such cases.

As the legal process unfolds, attention will focus on the forensic evidence, the motives, and the procedural aspects of the case. The outcome will not only bring clarity to the circumstances surrounding Kruthika’s death but may also influence protocols and preventive measures within the medical community to safeguard against similar incidents in the future.