Bengaluru Surgeon Arrested for Allegedly Killing Doctor Wife with Anaesthesia

In a shocking development in Bengaluru, police have arrested a city-based surgeon for allegedly murdering his wife, a fellow doctor, by administering a fatal dose of an anaesthetic drug. The arrest came six months after the woman’s mysterious death, which initially appeared to be a case of natural causes.

Tragic Death in April Raises Suspicions

The accused, Dr. Mahendra Reddy, a general surgeon, was taken into custody by the Marathahalli Police on October 14 for the alleged murder of his wife, Dr. Kruthika Reddy, a dermatologist.

According to investigators, the incident occurred on April 21 at their residence in Munnekollal, located in the eastern part of Bengaluru. On that evening, Dr. Kruthika reportedly fell suddenly ill at home. Her husband rushed her to a nearby private hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead on arrival.

At the time, the police registered the incident as an unnatural death at the Marathahalli Police Station. However, the case took a serious turn months later after forensic results revealed alarming findings.

Couple’s Background: Doctors at the Same Hospital

Dr. Mahendra and Dr. Kruthika had married on May 26 last year after a brief courtship. Both were known to their colleagues as bright and ambitious young doctors working at Victoria Hospital, one of Bengaluru’s leading medical institutions.

Friends and relatives initially believed Dr. Kruthika’s death was due to a sudden health complication. However, her family later began to suspect foul play after noticing inconsistencies in her husband’s version of events and the way the post-mortem report was handled.

Forensic Clues Uncover the Truth

During the scene inspection at the couple’s house, the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) recovered crucial pieces of evidence, including a cannula set, injection tubes, and medical syringes. All these items were seized and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis.

Investigators also collected viscera samples from the deceased to determine the exact cause of death. After months of examination, the FSL report confirmed the presence of Propofol, a powerful anaesthetic drug commonly used in surgical procedures, in Dr. Kruthika’s organs.

The findings clearly indicated that she had died due to a Propofol overdose, pointing to intentional administration rather than accidental exposure.

Complaint by Victim’s Father Leads to Arrest

Following the release of the forensic report, Dr. Kruthika’s father lodged a fresh complaint with the Marathahalli Police on October 13, accusing his son-in-law of murdering his daughter using an anaesthetic drug.

Based on this complaint and the FSL report, the police launched a renewed investigation. Acting swiftly, a police team traced Dr. Mahendra Reddy to Manipal, a university town in coastal Karnataka, and arrested him on October 14.

Police sources said Dr. Reddy was attempting to evade questioning and had been staying away from Bengaluru after learning that the forensic report implicated him.

Police Suspect Medical Expertise Used to Conceal Crime

Investigators believe that the accused used his medical knowledge to make the death appear natural. Since both the husband and wife were doctors, it initially seemed plausible that she may have suffered a sudden medical emergency.

However, further investigation suggested that Dr. Reddy might have injected his wife with an excessive dose of Propofol, causing her to lose consciousness and die instantly. He then reportedly tried to mislead doctors at the hospital by claiming she was unwell and under treatment for other ailments.

“Evidence collected so far points to the husband’s involvement, as he was the one who brought her to the hospital and gave misleading information,” said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh.
He added, “We have now learnt that she was injected with sedatives, which clearly indicates malafide intent. The investigation will reveal more details about the motive behind this act.”

Investigation Continues into Motive and Method

Police are now probing the motive behind the murder, including possible domestic disputes or financial issues between the couple. They are also verifying whether the accused obtained the anaesthetic drug legally and if anyone else assisted him.

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The seized medical items and FSL findings are expected to form a strong base for the chargesheet, which will likely include murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Dr. Mahendra Reddy is currently in police custody and is being interrogated. Investigators are also questioning hospital staff and close associates to build a clear timeline of events leading to Dr. Kruthika’s death.

A Case That Shocks the Medical Community

The tragic case has sent shockwaves through Bengaluru’s medical fraternity. Many doctors who knew the couple expressed disbelief over the allegations, describing them as “a quiet and professional pair.”

As the investigation unfolds, the Bengaluru surgeon murder case has raised serious questions about how easily potent anaesthetic drugs can be misused, even by trained medical professionals.

Police have assured that a comprehensive investigation is underway to ensure justice for the young dermatologist whose promising life ended under mysterious circumstances.