‘Long-term ill health disturbed him’: Bengaluru surgeon allegedly kills wife with repeated anaesthesia doses

A Bengaluru-based surgeon has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife, a dermatologist, by repeatedly administering anesthesia under the guise of treatment.

The crime, which occurred in April this year, came to light after forensic reports confirmed traces of anesthesia in samples of the victim’s internal organs.

Marathahalli police from Whitefield division on Wednesday announced the arrest of 31-year-old Dr Mahendra Reddy GS, a surgical resident at the Institute of Gastroenterological Sciences and Transplantation (IGOT), from the Victoria Hospital premises.
He is accused of murdering his wife, 28-year-old Kritika M Reddy, whom he married in March 2024.

“Soon after the death of Kritika Reddy, we registered a case of unnatural death. Now, as per the FSL report, her father has filed a fresh complaint accusing his son-in-law of overdosing anesthesia and killing the victim,” TOI quoted city police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh as saying.

Police investigations revealed that Mahendra Reddy took his wife Kritika to Cauvery Hospital in Marathahalli on April 24, claiming that she had fallen unconscious at their Munnekolal residence in Whitefield. However, doctors declared him dead. As a result, an autopsy became mandatory following the publication of the death notice. Reddy allegedly argued at length with hospital staff and police and urged them not to conduct an autopsy. He even convinced his father-in-law, K. Muni Reddy, to approach the police to skip the autopsy.

“I cannot imagine doctors dissecting and examining my daughter’s body. Please don’t do this,” Muni Reddy repeatedly told the authorities.

“The defendant took a defensive stance, stating that he was treating his wife for gastrointestinal problems and that administering anesthesia was part of it. However, he had no explanation for the overdose,” an investigating officer said.

What allegedly drove Mahendra Reddy to kill his wife?

Police sources told TOI that Kritika’s long-standing health condition was troubling Mahendra.

“Soon after the marriage, Mahendra Reddy discovered that Kritika had numerous health problems, including low blood pressure and gastrointestinal problems. He was angry with Kritika’s parents for allegedly hiding this information before the marriage. This could be one of the reasons,” said an officer.