The accused then tried to pass it off as a natural death. Police cracked the case after six months of investigation.
The victim, Dr. Karthika Reddy, a dermatologist, was found unconscious in April this year. Her husband, Dr. Mahendra Reddy, rushed her to the hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival. At that time, no one suspected foul play.
Initial reports described the death as “unnatural,” but police grew suspicious after finding medical equipment, including syringes, cannulas, and tubes, at the scene. Forensic tests later revealed traces of a potent anesthesia drug commonly used in surgeries inside her body.
This discovery changed the direction of the investigation. Police suspected that the drug had been deliberately administered to induce cardiac arrest, simulating a sudden medical emergency.
Following the forensic report, Dr. Karthika’s father approached the police, leading to Dr. Mahendra Reddy’s arrest from the coastal town of Manipal on October 14.
Investigators revealed that Mahendra used his medical knowledge to plan the murder, carefully staging it as a natural death. Bengaluru Police confirmed that the husband had not reported any pre-existing medical condition and intentionally used a sedative injection to end his wife’s life.
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Both husband and wife worked at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru and had been married for less than a year. What began as a partnership built on trust and healing ended in betrayal and tragedy.
This case has sent shockwaves across India’s healthcare community. The use of medical expertise for such a horrific act has raised questions about ethical responsibility and mental health among professionals working under high stress. Police say the case is a grim reminder that even the most trusted relationships can turn fatal when driven by ego, rage, or personal conflicts.
The tragic murder of Dr. Karthika Reddy stands as a chilling example of how knowledge meant to save lives can be twisted into a deadly weapon.
