Bengaluru doctor arrested for killing wife with anaesthetic overdose, says he was upset over her undisclosed pre-marriage health issues

Police in Bengaluru on Wednesday arrested Dr Mahendra Reddy, a general physician at Victoria Hospital, for allegedly murdering his wife, Dr Kritika Reddy, a dermatologist, by administering a lethal overdose of an anaesthetic drug. Authorities said he reportedly tried to make her death appear natural.

Bengaluru Victoria Hospital Doctor Kill His Wife? FSL Report Reveals Toxic Anaesthetic Levels

According to a TOI report, Dr Kritika Reddy’s health suddenly deteriorated in April this year. She was immediately admitted to a private hospital for treatment, but despite medical care, she tragically passed away. Since her death fell under medico-legal protocols, a post-mortem was conducted, and viscera samples were collected for laboratory testing.

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, which reached police on 13 October, revealed high levels of Propofol, an anaesthetic drug commonly used in controlled medical environments. This toxicology finding suggested that her death was premeditated rather than natural.

Bengaluru Police Confront Doctor Over Wife’s Death, He Confesses Killing Over Pre-Marriage Health Issues

When confronted with the FSL evidence, Dr Mahendra Reddy reportedly confessed to the crime. He told investigators that he was “upset over her undisclosed health issues before marriage,” leading him to deliberately administer the deadly dose.

Police have now formally charged him with murder and destruction of evidence, and further investigation into the case is ongoing.

Why Propofol Overdose Is Deadly and How Forensic Labs Detect Anaesthetic Poisoning

Propofol is a potent anaesthetic drug often used in surgeries and intensive care settings. In high doses, it can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and death. Forensic laboratories like the FSL are able to detect unnatural levels of such drugs in the body, making it possible to distinguish between natural deaths and deliberate poisoning.

Bengaluru Wife Murder Case: How Toxicology and Forensic Evidence Helped Solve the Crime

This case highlights the critical role of forensic science in uncovering crimes disguised as natural deaths. Without the post-mortem and toxicology tests, Dr Kritika Reddy’s death might have been wrongly classified as natural, emphasising the importance of medico-legal investigations in suspicious deaths.

Victoria Hospital Doctor Arrested for Murder in Bengaluru

Police in Bengaluru continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder. They are examining all possible evidence, including medical records, hospital CCTV footage, and communication between the couple, to build a full picture of the events leading to Dr Kritika Reddy’s death.