In one of Bengaluru’s most chilling recent murder cases, a seemingly natural death turned into a complex investigation that exposed a horrifying act of betrayal. What began as the sudden passing of a young doctor became a full-blown murder probe — all because her sister refused to believe what she was told.
Dr. Mahendra Reddy, a 31-year-old general surgeon, has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife, Dr. Kruthika M Reddy, a 29-year-old dermatologist, by administering a fatal dose of an anaesthetic drug. The arrest came six months after her death, following a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report that confirmed the presence of Propofol, a powerful anaesthetic, in her organs.
A Death That Raised Doubts
On April 24, 2025, Dr. Kruthika Reddy was rushed to Cauvery Hospital in Bengaluru after being found unresponsive at her parents’ home. Despite immediate medical attention, she was declared dead on arrival. Doctors initially suspected a natural cause — possibly linked to gastric distress she had been experiencing.
The family, though devastated, was told that no foul play was suspected. But one person — Kruthika’s elder sister, Dr. Nikitha M Reddy, a radiologist — wasn’t convinced. She found several inconsistencies in the explanation of events surrounding Kruthika’s sudden death.
Nikitha’s insistence that her sister’s demise could not have been natural prompted the hospital to register a Medico-Legal Case (MLC). This led to the Marathahalli Police registering a case of unnatural death and preserving medical samples for forensic examination. Months later, her suspicion proved right.
Forensic Breakthrough: Propofol in the Organs
The case took a dramatic turn when the FSL report came back. It revealed traces of Propofol, a controlled anaesthetic substance used only in hospitals and surgical settings, in both Kruthika’s organs and in the medical equipment seized from her husband’s possession.
Propofol, when improperly administered, can induce cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. Its presence in Kruthika’s system indicated that she had been given a dosage far exceeding any therapeutic use — pointing directly toward homicide.
Whitefield DCP K Parashurama stated:
“All the medical equipment used by Mahendra for Kruthika’s treatment at her parents’ house was seized following her death. Initially, it seemed as though Kruthika had died of natural causes. However, the post-mortem and FSL reports revealed traces of Propofol, confirming that her death was not accidental.”
Police believe Mahendra administered the anaesthetic between April 21 and April 23, under the pretext of treating her for gastritis, while she was staying at her parents’ home.
Timeline: From Illness to Death
April 21: Kruthika complained of severe gastritis. Mahendra began intravenous (IV) treatment at their residence.
April 22: He suggested Kruthika move to her parents’ house for rest and recovery. That evening, he visited and administered another IV dose.
April 23: Kruthika texted Mahendra, saying the IV line was causing discomfort. He advised her not to remove it and returned that night to give another dose.
April 24: The next morning, Kruthika was found unresponsive. Mahendra and her family rushed her to Cauvery Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Her death certificate initially cited “natural causes,” but Nikitha’s persistence ensured further medical investigation — which later confirmed deliberate poisoning through anaesthetic overdose.
Arrest and Interrogation
Once the FSL results confirmed the use of Propofol, police moved swiftly. Mahendra Reddy was arrested in Manipal, Udupi district, around 400 km from Bengaluru, where he had reportedly been working at a medical facility.
Currently employed at Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru, Mahendra appeared calm and emotionless during interrogation. He continued to maintain that his wife had died naturally due to an underlying medical issue.
Despite his composure, police described his demeanor as “cold and detached,” with investigators saying he appeared more concerned about professional consequences than his wife’s death.
He was produced before a magistrate and remanded to police custody for nine days as investigations continue into his motive and planning.
Financial Disputes and Affair Allegations
Family members allege that the murder may have been driven by a combination of financial stress and a possible extramarital affair.
Mohan Reddy T.S., Kruthika’s brother-in-law, told The Indian Express:
“We spent around ₹2 crore on their wedding in May 2024. After treating Kruthika on April 23, Mahendra went off to sleep in another room. The next morning, she was found unresponsive. Mahendra insisted that a post-mortem was unnecessary and wanted the body cremated in his hometown. But my wife refused, and that decision changed everything.”
According to the family, Mahendra had been pressuring Kruthika’s parents for funds to open a hospital in Bengaluru. When they advised him to first gain more experience, he reportedly grew resentful. Police are also probing claims that he may have been involved with another woman.
Investigators said these disputes — combined with his professional access to anaesthetic drugs — may have motivated the crime.
The Victim: A Promising Doctor with Big Dreams
Dr. Kruthika Reddy was known for her dedication and compassion. A graduate of Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, she completed her MD from Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, and earned a DNB in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
Colleagues described her as ambitious and driven. She was preparing to launch her own dermatology clinic, Skin & Scalpel, in Bengaluru on May 4, just ten days after her death.
One of her colleagues at Victoria Hospital said:
“She was passionate about women’s empowerment through dermatology. It’s unthinkable that her own husband could betray her trust like this.”
From Natural Death to Murder Charge
What started as a medical mystery has now evolved into a full-fledged murder case. The transformation was possible only because of Dr. Nikitha Reddy’s determination to uncover the truth.
Had she accepted the initial explanation, Kruthika’s death might have been recorded as natural, and Mahendra’s crime would have gone undetected. The case stands as a stark reminder of how professional expertise can be misused to commit crimes that mimic medical complications — and how vigilance can expose the truth.
The Bengaluru Police have praised their investigative team and acknowledged Nikitha’s courage. As the case proceeds, authorities continue to examine digital records, financial transactions, and communications between the couple to establish a complete timeline and motive.
The Larger Lesson
The case of Dr. Mahendra and Dr. Kruthika Reddy highlights the thin line between medical knowledge as a life-saving tool and its potential misuse. It also underscores the importance of post-mortem investigations in unexplained deaths — especially when the deceased is under the medical care of a close relative.
While Kruthika’s life was cut tragically short, her sister’s persistence has ensured that the truth did not remain buried. The investigation now stands as both a warning and a testament — to vigilance, justice, and the dangers of unchecked access to medical substances.
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