Bengaluru, October 16, 2025 — A day after the shocking death of 28-year-old doctor Kruthika Reddy, her grieving family is demanding justice and strict legal action against her husband, Dr. Mahendra Reddy, who has been arrested for allegedly administering a fatal dose of anaesthesia. What initially appeared to be a sudden medical collapse has now turned into a chilling murder investigation that has shaken Karnataka’s medical community and sparked a wider debate on domestic trust, professional ethics, and gendered violence.
Kruthika’s father, Muni Reddy, lodged a formal complaint with the police, alleging that his daughter was murdered by her husband under the guise of treatment. “Our daughter believed her marriage was built on respect and love,” he said, holding back tears. “But the same medical knowledge that should have healed others was used to end her life. She dedicated herself to helping people. Justice for Kruthika is justice for every woman who trusts and loves with honesty.”
According to investigators, Mahendra Reddy, a 32-year-old general surgeon, allegedly used Propofol, a potent hospital-grade anaesthetic, to kill his wife. The drug, often administered only under controlled hospital settings for surgical procedures, can be fatal in high doses or when misused outside a medical facility.
A Marriage That Turned Fatal
Kruthika and Mahendra were married in May 2024, in a grand ceremony that cost the bride’s family nearly ₹2 crore, according to her brother-in-law Mohan Reddy TS. “She was full of dreams — a kind-hearted doctor who wanted to start a small clinic with her husband,” he recalled. “We believed she had found a good partner, someone who shared her profession and her ideals. We were wrong.”
The tragedy unfolded in April 2025, less than a year after their wedding. Kruthika had reportedly been unwell, suffering from mild gastritis, when her husband offered to treat her at her parents’ house. On the evening of April 23, Mahendra administered what he claimed was a mild anaesthetic for her discomfort and then went to sleep in another room. The next morning, Kruthika was found unresponsive.
Her family immediately grew suspicious when Mahendra allegedly tried to prevent a post-mortem and insisted on cremating her body in his hometown. “He said there was no need for an autopsy, that it was a natural death,” Mohan told The Indian Express. “But my wife refused to allow the cremation without a post-mortem. That decision changed everything.”
Forensic Breakthrough Confirms Murder
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report confirmed the family’s worst fears. Traces of Propofol were found in Kruthika’s system — a drug not available for over-the-counter use and restricted to hospitals and operation theatres. Investigators also found residues of the same anaesthetic on medical equipment seized from Mahendra’s possession.
Police sources say Mahendra is suspected to have administered a fatal dose of Propofol between April 21 and 23, under the pretext of treating her for gastritis. The post-mortem report noted symptoms consistent with anaesthetic overdose and respiratory failure.
“Propofol is not something a doctor keeps at home,” a forensic officer said. “It is a controlled substance, and its procurement and use are strictly monitored. The presence of the drug in Kruthika’s body, along with Mahendra’s medical background, makes the case clear: this was not negligence, it was intentional.”
The Arrest and the Legal Case
Following the forensic confirmation, Bengaluru Police arrested Dr. Mahendra Reddy and charged him under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — the reformed Indian penal code. He is currently in judicial custody.
Police officials revealed that Mahendra appeared “calm and emotionless” during interrogation, and initially tried to portray Kruthika’s death as a medical complication. However, when confronted with the forensic findings, he reportedly offered no clear explanation.
According to preliminary reports, investigators are exploring two possible motives: a financial dispute between the couple, and suspicions of an extramarital affair on Mahendra’s part. Sources indicate that Kruthika had recently discovered financial irregularities in their shared accounts and had questioned her husband about them.
“She was financially independent, confident, and outspoken — qualities that sometimes become threatening in unequal relationships,” said a close friend of Kruthika’s who requested anonymity. “She often said she wanted mutual respect in her marriage. She never imagined her husband would betray her trust so cruelly.”
Family’s Fight for Justice
The Reddy family has launched an online campaign under the banner #JusticeForKruthika, calling for the strictest punishment for the accused. “We are not just fighting for our daughter,” said Muni Reddy. “We are fighting for every woman who believes that love and marriage mean safety.”
Kruthika’s death has sparked outrage on social media, with thousands of users — including doctors, women’s rights activists, and public figures — expressing solidarity with the family. Many have drawn parallels to other recent cases where domestic violence and professional manipulation intersected fatally.
Women’s rights activist Dr. Shalini Rao called for stronger regulation on the handling of anaesthetic drugs. “Propofol is not meant for domestic use. The fact that a trained surgeon could misuse it so easily raises serious questions about oversight and ethics within the medical community,” she said.
A Troubling Pattern of Misused Medical Expertise
Cases where medical professionals exploit their training to commit crimes are rare but deeply alarming. Propofol, the drug involved in this case, is the same anaesthetic that caused global headlines in 2009, when pop icon Michael Jackson died from an overdose administered by his doctor.
Medical experts note that Propofol acts quickly, inducing deep sleep or unconsciousness within seconds. In unmonitored conditions, it can suppress breathing and cardiac function, leading to death. “Only a professional with precise dosage knowledge can use it — which makes its misuse by a spouse even more deliberate,” said Dr. P. Chandrasekhar, a Bengaluru anaesthesiologist.
Public Anger and Institutional Response
The Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) has said it will review Mahendra’s medical license. “We are in contact with the police and awaiting full details,” a KMC spokesperson said. “If the charges are proven, his license will be permanently revoked.”
Public outrage has also prompted calls for reforms in drug tracking and accountability. Experts are urging authorities to tighten supply chains for controlled anaesthetics like Propofol, ensuring that hospitals maintain digital records of all usage and disposal.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru police have said they will pursue the case “to its logical conclusion.” Commissioner Sandeep Patil told reporters, “This is a case of betrayal, abuse of professional trust, and deliberate homicide. We have strong forensic and circumstantial evidence.”
A Life Cut Short
Kruthika was described by her colleagues as compassionate, dedicated, and deeply committed to patient care. “She always stayed late at the hospital, treating even those who couldn’t afford private care,” said Dr. Nivedita, a co-worker. “She had just begun her career and had dreams of opening a community clinic. It’s heartbreaking to think her skills were used against her.”
As investigations continue, Kruthika’s family hopes her story will serve as a warning — not just against domestic violence, but also against blind trust in relationships where power and knowledge can be misused.
“Our daughter was a doctor who saved lives,” her father said quietly. “But no one could save her. Now, justice must.”
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