Bengaluru: In a shocking development, a 31-year-old city-based surgeon has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife, a dermatologist at Victoria Hospital, by administering a lethal overdose of an anaesthetic drug under the guise of treatment. The arrest came months after the victim’s death, following the release of the forensic science laboratory (FSL) report that confirmed the presence of Propofol — a powerful intravenous anaesthetic — in her body.
FSL report turns case into murder investigation
The accused, identified as Dr Mahendra Reddy G S, a surgical resident at the Institute of Gastroenterology Sciences and Organ Transplant (IGOT), was arrested on Tuesday after months of investigation. His wife, Dr Kritika M Reddy, 28, was found dead in April this year at their residence in Munnekolal, Whitefield.
Initially, the case was registered as an unnatural death. However, according to city police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, the FSL report completely altered the direction of the probe. “The autopsy and FSL findings confirmed the presence of Propofol in the viscera samples, leading us to register a case of murder,” Singh said.
Following the report, Kritika’s father, K Muni Reddy, lodged a fresh complaint accusing Mahendra of intentionally administering the anaesthetic to kill his daughter.
Husband tried to prevent autopsy, say police
Police revealed that Mahendra had rushed Kritika to Cauvery Hospital in Marathahalli on April 24, claiming she had fallen unconscious at home. However, doctors declared her brought dead. Despite his pleas to avoid an autopsy, police insisted on proceeding, which later became the turning point in the case.
“Mahendra even tried to persuade his father-in-law to request that the autopsy be skipped,” said an officer involved in the investigation. “That attempt itself raised suspicions, but we had to wait for scientific evidence before taking action.”
Motive linked to wife’s health, say investigators
Preliminary investigations suggest that Mahendra’s motive may have been linked to his wife’s medical condition. According to police sources, Kritika had been suffering from persistent gastrointestinal problems since before their marriage.
“Soon after the wedding in March 2024, Mahendra found out about her health issues and was reportedly upset that her parents had not disclosed the details earlier,” an investigating officer said. “He was also frustrated with her frequent illness and treatment costs.”
Propofol — the drug used in surgeries
Police said the drug used in the crime, Propofol, is commonly used by medical professionals to induce anaesthesia before surgery. When administered improperly, it can cause respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
“The accused used his medical knowledge to administer the drug, which is not easily available outside medical institutions. This indicates premeditation,” said ACP (East) Ramesh Banoth, who is supervising the case.
Police custody and ongoing probe
Mahendra has been remanded to seven-day police custody as investigators continue to collect more evidence, including the procurement trail of the anaesthetic. The police are also analysing phone and chat records between the couple and their families to establish a clear timeline leading up to Kritika’s death.
Officials said that Mahendra had initially maintained that he was “only trying to treat” his wife’s chronic stomach issues. “He told us that Kritika had complained of severe discomfort, and he attempted to help her using an anaesthetic drug. But the forensic evidence doesn’t support his version,” a senior officer said.
Community shocked by the crime
The medical fraternity in Bengaluru has expressed deep shock over the case. Colleagues of the couple at Victoria Hospital and IGOT described them as “quiet and professional,” and many said they were unaware of any marital discord.
As investigations continue, police are exploring whether anyone else was aware of Mahendra’s actions or helped him access the controlled substance. Authorities said additional charges could be added based on further findings.
A tragic end to a young doctor’s life
The case has sent shockwaves through Bengaluru’s medical community and raised questions about access to restricted anaesthetic drugs. What began as an apparent case of sudden illness has now been confirmed as a premeditated act of murder, carried out by someone trained to save lives.