Dr Mahendra Reddy, a 32-year-old general surgeon at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, was arrested on October 14, 2025, for the alleged murder of his wife, dermatologist Dr Kritika Reddy, six months after her death was initially ruled natural.
Police investigations revealed that Mahendra allegedly administered a fatal overdose of the anaesthetic drug Propofol to his wife, under the pretext of treating her gastric issues.
A forensic science laboratory report confirmed the presence of sedative substances, prompting a murder case. Officials described the murder as meticulously planned, with Mahendra exploiting his medical knowledge and his wife’s health vulnerabilities.
Unveiling the Murder
Mahendra and Kritika married in May 2024, but soon after, Mahendra discovered that Kritika suffered from long-standing gastric and metabolic disorders which her family allegedly concealed from him. Between April 21 and 23, 2025, Mahendra reportedly administered intravenous injections for these ailments at their home.
Kritika was found unconscious on April 24 and declared dead on arrival at a hospital. Despite initially opposing a postmortem, suspicions by Kritika’s sister led to forensic tests that uncovered lethal anaesthetic drugs in Kritika’s organs. Whitefield DCP M Parashuram characterised the killing as “clinical precision murder”.
Betrayal and Investigation
Police allege that Mahendra used his easy access to controlled drugs and his surgical expertise to carry out the crime while disguising it as a natural death. Further investigations are examining possible motives, including allegations of financial and mental harassment and an extramarital affair.
Kritika’s family has expressed deep sorrow and shock over the betrayal by a trusted doctor. Police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh praised the investigative team for uncovering “a murder disguised as a medical tragedy,” reflecting on the importance of forensic vigilance in such cases.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The tragic murder of Dr Kritika Reddy exemplifies a profound betrayal of trust and professional ethics. The Logical Indian condemns this atrocity and emphasises the urgent need for justice and systemic safeguards to detect and prevent covert domestic violence, especially when perpetrators misuse their professional roles. Healing and knowledge must never be weapons of harm.
