Bengaluru: In a shocking case that has left the city’s medical community reeling, Dr. Mahendra Reddy, a general surgeon at Victoria Hospital, has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife, Dr. Kruthika Reddy, a dermatologist, by administering a lethal injection and making her family believe it was a natural death. The arrest comes six months after Kruthika’s death, following the receipt of forensic evidence that confirmed the presence of anesthesia in her body as the cause of her death.
The couple had tied the knot on May 26, 2024, in what was described as an arranged marriage. According to police investigations, Dr. Kruthika Reddy had been suffering from indigestion, gastric problems, and low blood sugar, which her family had allegedly kept hidden before the wedding. Soon after the marriage, Mahendra Reddy reportedly discovered her health issues and allegedly planned to end her life, taking advantage of her vulnerabilities.
“Mahendra Reddy had meticulously planned the murder, exploiting his wife’s health conditions and his professional knowledge to carry out the act,” said Whitefield DCP M. Parashuram, adding that forensic reports clearly pointed to anesthesia as the cause of respiratory failure that led to Kruthika’s death.
According to the police, Kruthika had been staying at her father’s residence in Marathahalli when she fell unconscious due to illness and fatigue. During this period, Mahendra allegedly visited her under the pretext of providing medical care and administered IV injections containing anesthetic substances over two consecutive days.
On April 23, 2025, she reportedly lost consciousness again and was rushed to a private hospital, where she was declared dead. Initially, her family did not suspect foul play, and the hospital issued a death memo, leading the police to file an Unnatural Death Report (UDR). Samples from Kruthika’s body were sent for forensic analysis, and only upon receiving the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report six months later was it confirmed that she had been poisoned through anesthesia.
Following the revelation, the police upgraded the case to a murder investigation, and Dr. Mahendra Reddy was taken into custody on October 14, 2025.
The investigation also revealed a troubling family background. Mahendra’s twin brother, Dr. Nagendra Reddy G.S., has multiple fraud and criminal cases registered at HAL Police Station in 2018, while another brother, Raghava Reddy G.S., was named as a co-accused with Mahendra in a 2023 case of criminal intimidation. According to Kruthika’s family, these details were deliberately concealed prior to her marriage.
Amidst the tragedy, Kruthika’s father, Muni Reddy, announced a remarkable decision. Speaking to reporters, he revealed that he would donate Kruthika’s house in Marathahalli to ISKCON, citing painful memories associated with the property. “Her memories of this house were very haunting. That is why we have decided to donate it to the ISKCON temple. We have taken this decision with the consent of our eldest daughter,” he said, fighting back tears. He also insisted that Mahendra should face the full force of the law. “Such an incident should never happen to any woman,” he added.
Muni Reddy also clarified that his daughter had no health issues and was extremely disciplined in her studies and professional life. “She had completed four degrees and maintained 99% attendance. She was healthy and active. The reason for her murder is not known. Initially, nothing appeared suspicious, and only after the FSL report did we learn it was a premeditated act using drugs,” he said.
DCP Parashuram highlighted the calculated nature of the crime, stating, “The way the injection was administered shows professional precision. He had access to medical drugs and instruments, and the forensic evidence clearly points to deliberate poisoning.”
Dr. Kruthika, 28, was a talented dermatologist who had completed her MBBS from Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, an MD in Dermatology from Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, and a DNB in Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy from NBEMS. She was poised to inaugurate her dream clinic, “Skin & Scalpel,” in Bengaluru on May 4, 2025, just days after her untimely death.
Friends and colleagues expressed shock and grief over her murder. “Kruthika was full of life and committed to helping others. She never imagined betrayal from someone she trusted the most,” said a colleague from Victoria Hospital.
