Shocking Incident: Doctor uses anaesthetic drug Propofol to kill wife in Bengaluru
Shocking Incident: Doctor uses anaesthetic drug Propofol to kill wife in Bengaluru
His medical knowledge that should have saved lives was instead used to end one, say police.
Bengaluru Police have arrested general surgeon Dr Mahendra Reddy for allegedly murdering his wife, dermatologist Dr Kruthika M Reddy, by administering the powerful anaesthetic drug Propofol under the guise of treatment.
Kruthika and Mahendra, both doctors, were married on May 26, 2024. In April this year, while Kruthika was staying at her father’s house in Marathahalli due to health issues, she suddenly collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital, where she was declared brought dead. At the time, her death was treated as medical and registered as an unnatural death.
However, Kruthika’s sister, Dr Nikitha M Reddy, a radiologist, suspected foul play and demanded a thorough probe. Six months later, forensic tests confirmed her doubts. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report detected Propofol traces in several of Kruthika’s organs, establishing that the anaesthetic had been administered before her death.
Investigators say Mahendra had visited Kruthika for two consecutive days and given her intravenous injections, pretending they were part of her treatment. Evidence now suggests that those injections were lethal. Following the FSL findings, Marathahalli Police converted the case from unnatural death to murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Mahendra, who had moved to Manipal in Udupi soon after the incident, was arrested this week. A Look-Out Circular had been issued against him earlier. Police allege he misused his medical privileges to obtain drugs used in operation theatres and ICUs, which he then used to execute the crime.
Further investigation has also revealed a troubled family background. Mahendra’s twin brother, Dr Nagendra Reddy G.S., faces multiple criminal and cheating cases filed in 2018 at HAL Police Station. Another brother, Raghava Reddy G.S., along with Mahendra, was also named co-accused in a 2023 case involving intimidation of a complainant’s family. Kruthika’s family alleges these details were concealed during the marriage discussions.
Dr Kruthika was a respected dermatologist with an MBBS from Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, an MD from Navodaya Medical College, and a DNB in Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy from NBEMS. She had been preparing to open her dream clinic, “Skin & Scalpel,” in May 2025.
Her father, Muni Reddy, lodged a formal complaint on October 14, 2025, after the forensic report surfaced. “Kruthika trusted her husband completely — she believed in his love and in his profession,” he said in his statement. “But the same medical 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.”
Police continue to question Mahendra and are examining his access to restricted drugs, communication logs, and movements in the days leading up to the murder.
