In a case that has sent shockwaves through Bengaluru’s medical community, a surgeon has been arrested for the calculated murder of his wife, a promising dermatologist. The crime, which took place in April, was meticulously planned to look like a natural death. However, a father’s relentless pursuit of truth and a crucial post-mortem report have uncovered a chilling story of betrayal, deceit, and the weaponization of medical knowledge.
Dr. Mahendra Reddy G S, a practicing surgeon, stands accused of murdering his 29-year-old wife, Dr. Kruthika M Reddy, using a powerful hospital-grade anaesthetic. The arrest by Marathahalli Police on October 14 came months after her death, exposing a sinister plot hidden behind the facade of a new marriage.
A Young Life Tragically Ended
Dr. Kruthika Reddy was a vibrant dermatologist with a bright future. She was found dead on April 24, less than a year after her marriage to Dr. Mahendra. At the time, her husband allegedly attempted to convince her family that her death was natural, pressuring them to forgo a police complaint or an autopsy. But for a family grieving the sudden loss of a healthy young woman, the circumstances were too suspicious to ignore.
Haunted by unanswered questions, Dr. Kruthika’s father, Mr. Muni Reddy K, refused to let the matter rest. His persistence led him to file a formal complaint, which finally set the wheels of justice in motion. The Marathahalli Police registered an FIR, and what they would uncover was far more horrifying than the family had imagined.
The Silent Killer: How Propofol Exposed the Crime
The breakthrough in the case came from the post-mortem report. Toxicologists found traces of Propofol in several of Dr. Kruthika’s organs. Propofol is a potent, fast-acting anaesthetic agent used exclusively in controlled clinical settings like operating theatres for inducing and maintaining anaesthesia during surgery. Its presence in a person’s body outside of a medical procedure is a massive red flag.
Investigators believe Dr. Mahendra used his professional access and credentials to illicitly procure the drug from Victoria Hospital. He then allegedly administered a lethal dose to his wife, leading to catastrophic respiratory failure and, ultimately, her death. By using a drug that metabolizes quickly and is not commonly tested for, he likely hoped to evade detection. However, the forensic analysis proved to be his undoing, turning the ‘perfect’ murder weapon into the primary piece of evidence against him.
A Calculated Plot and a Hidden Past
The police investigation paints a picture of a cold and premeditated crime. Dr. Mahendra’s attempts to prevent an autopsy and his insistence on a swift cremation were clear attempts to destroy evidence. Following the FIR, the police acted swiftly. A Look-Out Circular was immediately issued to prevent him from fleeing the country, and he was arrested near Manipal within three hours.
The case took another dark turn when it was revealed that Dr. Mahendra Reddy allegedly had a criminal background that was concealed from Dr. Kruthika’s family before the wedding. He reportedly had prior cases against him involving cheating, threats, and intimidation—a history that suggests a pattern of deceit.
The murder charge has been filed under Section 103 of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. This stringent section addresses the crime of murder and carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Dr. Kruthika’s father expressed his family’s anguish and betrayal. “Dr. Kruthika trusted her husband completely,” he said. “The same medical knowledge that should have saved lives was used to destroy hers. We seek the harshest punishment for this act and justice for our daughter, whose loss is a loss to society.”
This case serves as a grim reminder of how trust can be violated in the most intimate of relationships. As the legal proceedings begin, a grieving family and a shocked city await justice for a doctor whose life was stolen by the very person who had sworn to protect her.
