 "While Dr Mahendra x suggested there was no need for a postmortem, dr Kruthika's sister, Dr Nikitha Reddy, a radiologist, insisted on it. Image courtesy: News18")
A young Bengaluru doctor’s sudden death, once dismissed as natural, has now exposed a chilling tale of betrayal and murder.
Dr Kruthika M Reddy, a 29-year-old dermatologist with a promising career, was found dead on April 24, 2025. Initially, her sudden passing was treated as a tragic loss, leaving her family, friends, and colleagues in shock.
But the story took a dark turn, thanks to the determination of her sister, Dr Nikita M Reddy. Refusing to accept the preliminary explanations, Nikita pushed for forensic testing of Kruthika’s samples at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
Tests revealed that Kruthika’s death was not natural but deliberate. The investigation led directly to her husband, Dr Mahendra Reddy, a surgeon, who has now been arrested and accused of orchestrating her murder.
How did the horrifying murder unfold
On April 24, 2025, Kruthika was rushed to Cauvery Hospital from her parents’ home in Marathahalli, Bengaluru , where she had been staying. She was declared brought dead, and both authorities and her family initially believed her passing was due to natural causes.
In the days leading up to her death, Kruthika had complained of gastritis. Her husband, Dr Mahendra Reddy, a general surgeon at Victoria Hospital, reportedly treated her at home, administering multiple IV injections over two days.
A day before her passing, Kruthika even messaged him on WhatsApp, asking if she could have the IV drips removed because of the pain she was enduring. Mahendra allegedly refused and later returned to administer more medicine through the IV lines.
The next day, she was found unresponsive, shockingly, Mahendra, despite being a trained doctor, did not attempt CPR.
Shockingly, the couple had been married less than a year, tying the knot on May 26 last year. According to Kruthika’s brother-in-law, the family had spent roughly Rs 2 crore on the wedding.
Kruthika, a respected dermatologist at Victoria Hospital, is remembered by her colleagues as deeply dedicated and compassionate. “She always spoke about empowering women through dermatology,” one colleague told The Hindustan Times. “It’s devastating that her own husband betrayed that trust.”
Also read: Cyberfrauds, offences against women & more: The crimes on the rise in India
Kruthika’s sister raises suspicion
Initially, Kruthika’s family accepted the explanation that her death was natural. Mahendra and his family members even opposed conducting a post-mortem. The police filed an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) based on the hospital memo, but her sister, Nikitha Reddy, a radiologist, remained unconvinced and pushed for clarity on the cause of death.
Six months later, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) found traces of Propofol, a powerful anaesthetic typically used only in hospital surgeries, in Kruthika’s organs. Following this discovery, Bengaluru Police raided Mahendra’s home and reportedly recovered medical equipment allegedly used to administer the anaesthetic, according to reports.
A murder case was then registered based on a complaint filed by Kruthika’s father, Muni Reddy K, Mahendra was arrested in Manipal, Udupi district, nearly 400 km from Bengaluru.
In a statement, Muni Reddy said, “Dr Kruthika trusted her husband completely – she believed in his love and in his profession. But the same medical knowledge that should have saved lives was used to destroy hers. Our family seeks the harshest punishment for this premeditated act and justice for our daughter, whose loss is not just personal but a loss to society.”
Also read: BMW, gold sovereigns, & property: How hefty dowry demand claimed a young doctor’s life in Kerala
What was Mahendra’s motive?
Police said Mahendra had grown upset after discovering that his wife, Kruthika, suffered from long-standing gastric and metabolic disorders, details her family had allegedly not disclosed before the marriage.
“He knew her medical vulnerabilities and used his professional knowledge to exploit them. The evidence shows deliberate and precise use of anaesthetic drugs,” said Whitefield DCP M. Parashuram.
While authorities believe frustration over his wife’s health may have played a role, Kruthika’s father also claimed that Mahendra frequently demanded money from the family.
In his complaint, Muni Reddy said, “He wanted me to build a private hospital for Kruthika, and I refused, stating I did not have that much money. Meanwhile, Mahendra was ignoring my daughter while growing close to another woman. He treated her gastrointestinal issues by administering liquids intravenously.”
According to an Indian Express report, Mahendra was produced before a magistrate on Wednesday and remanded to police custody for nine days. Despite questioning, he reportedly remained composed, insisting that his wife’s death was natural and showing no visible emotion.
He is now officially booked under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
With input from agencies