Six months after wifes death, Bengaluru doctor arrested for murder by anaesthetic overdose
The FSL report, received earlier this month, confirmed lethal traces of Propofol in Kruthika's system, ruling out natural causes. The sedative, commonly used for inducing anaesthesia, can cause respiratory failure when administered in excess.
New Delhi: Six months after the mysterious death of a young dermatologist was initially dismissed as natural, Bengaluru Police have arrested her husband, also a doctor, for allegedly murdering her using a powerful anaesthetic drug.
Dr Mahendra Reddy GS, a general surgeon associated with Victoria Hospital, was arrested in Manipal on Monday for the alleged premeditated killing of his wife, Dr Kruthika M Reddy, who died on April 24, 2025.
The 29-year-old dermatologist was found dead at her home in Munnekolala, Marathahalli, with her husband claiming she had succumbed to complications from gastric and blood sugar issues. Her death was initially recorded as an unnatural death (UDR), but subsequent forensic reports revealed traces of Propofol, a controlled anaesthetic drug, leading police to reclassify it as murder.
Suspicious death turns out to be murder
"It was a suspicious death, but no one had filed a complaint initially. We registered it as an unnatural death report and collected all evidence from the spot. After the Forensic Science Laboratory report arrived, we found that Propofol, a sedative, had been administered in excessive amounts, leading to death," Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh told reporters. "The deceased's father has now filed a formal complaint against her husband. The investigation is ongoing," he added.
According to investigators, Dr Reddy had been administering intravenous injections to his wife for three consecutive days under the guise of treating gastric problems. On April 23, she fell unconscious and was admitted to a private hospital. Despite doctors recommending a 72-hour fasting test, he allegedly discharged her within 36 hours. She died soon after returning home.
According to cops, Dr Reddy was adamant about avoiding a post-mortem, which raised further suspicion. Her family, who initially accepted the explanation of a natural death, later pressed for a reinvestigation after inconsistencies emerged.
FSL report confirms traces of Propofol in Kruthika's system
The FSL report, received earlier this month, confirmed lethal traces of Propofol in Kruthika's system, ruling out natural causes. The sedative, commonly used for inducing anaesthesia, can cause respiratory failure when administered in excess.
Investigators also revealed that both doctors had married less than a year before the incident, on May 26, 2024. Kruthika, who worked at Victoria Hospital, reportedly suffered from chronic digestive and low blood sugar issues, a fact her family allegedly withheld during the marriage.
After learning about her condition, Mahendra allegedly planned the murder to make it look like a medical complication. He reportedly administered the fatal injections while she was at her parents' house.
Following her death, police collected viscera samples and sent them for forensic examination. Once the FSL results confirmed the presence of anaesthetic agents, Mahendra was arrested and charged under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.
Further investigation is underway to determine the motive and whether any accomplices were involved.