love, trust, and medicine — a deadly combination in Bengaluru’s most shocking case of the year.
Dr Mahendra Reddy, a general surgeon at victoria Hospital, is accused of murdering his wife, dermatologist Dr Kruthika M Reddy, using Propofol, a potent anaesthetic restricted to operating theatres.
What should have been a story of marital harmony and medical excellence has instead exposed a chilling betrayal, where professional expertise was weaponized against the very person who trusted him most.
1. A marriage Cut Short
The couple tied the knot on May 26, 2024, full of hope and professional ambition.
Less than a year later, on April 23, 2025, Kruthika collapsed at her father’s home in Marathahalli.
What appeared to be a natural health crisis quickly turned into a calculated murder orchestrated by the very person she trusted.
2. Propofol: The Deadly Weapon
Mahendra allegedly administered intravenous Propofol injections over two days, claiming they were for her treatment.
Propofol, a restricted anaesthetic drug, should only be used in controlled OT environments.
Instead, it became the tool for murder — a stark reminder of how knowledge can be weaponized.
3. Suspicion, Persistence, and the FSL Revelation
Initially, police registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR), believing her death was natural.
But her elder sister, Dr Nikitha M Reddy, insisted on a detailed investigation.
Six months later, the Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed Propofol in multiple organs, leaving no doubt — Kruthika was murdered.
4. Criminal Family Background and Concealed Secrets
Further investigation revealed troubling details:
Mahendra’s twin brother, Dr nagendra Reddy, had multiple criminal cases.
Mahendra and another brother, Raghava Reddy, were co-accused in a 2023 intimidation case.
These criminal histories were allegedly hidden during the marriage, painting a grim picture of planned deceit.
5. The arrest and Legal Action
After Kruthika’s father filed a complaint on October 14, 2025, the Marathahalli police acted.
Mahendra was arrested in Manipal, Udupi, following a Look-Out Circular.
The case has been reclassified as murder under Section 103 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, with investigators probing how medical expertise was manipulated to commit the crime.
6. A Life Full of Promise, Cut Short
Kruthika, 28, was a highly qualified dermatologist with degrees from Vydehi Institute, Navodaya Medical College, and NBEMS.
She was preparing to launch her dream clinic, “Skin & Scalpel,” on May 4, 2025.
Her life of promise and achievement was brutally ended by someone who should have been her protector, not her predator.
7. Family Speaks Out: Justice Over Betrayal
Kruthika’s father, muni Reddy, said:
"Kruthika trusted her husband completely. She believed in his love and profession. But the same knowledge that should have saved lives was used to end hers. Justice for Kruthika is justice for every woman who believes in love and integrity."
8. Ongoing Investigations: The Full Truth Yet to Emerge
police continue to interrogate Mahendra and examine how he used his professional access and knowledge to plan, execute, and conceal the murder.
The case has shaken the medical and legal community, raising questions about ethics, trust, and the dark side of professional expertise.
💥 CONCLUSION — THE FINAL PUNCH
In a city of dreams and medical marvels, this case reveals a gruesome betrayal of trust, love, and life itself.
Dr Mahendra Reddy’s actions show how knowledge without morality can be deadly, and how even healers can become killers.
The arrest brings temporary closure, but the shadow of Kruthika’s untimely death will remain a chilling reminder of human deceit and the fragility of trust.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel