In a shocking case from Bengaluru, a surgeon accused of killing his wife had allegedly planned a cover-up with his lover, according to new chat records that have come out nearly a year after the incident.
The accused, Mahendra Reddy, was arrested in October 2025, about six months after the death of his wife Kruthika Reddy, a dermatologist. Police said he allegedly killed her by giving an overdose of an anaesthetic drug at their home.
The incident took place on April 21, when Kruthika suddenly fell ill. Mahendra rushed her to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead. At first, the death appeared natural, but later police began to suspect foul play.
According to investigators, Mahendra used his medical knowledge to make the death look normal and avoid suspicion in the beginning.
During the probe, police found that Mahendra was in a relationship with a nurse named Harishtha. Their conversations became a key part of the case.
Police said the accused tried to avoid detection by not using regular messaging apps like WhatsApp. Instead, he used UPI apps like PhonePe to send messages.
Investigators have collected a large amount of digital and forensic evidence. This includes over 10.34 lakh digital files, deleted data, chats, and photos recovered by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
Some messages show that the accused was aware of his actions and tried to plan ahead. In one message, he told the nurse, “If police ask about us, say we are just friends.”
In another message, he allegedly wrote that he had killed his wife and might go to jail. Other chats also suggest that he was under stress and knew the seriousness of what he had done.
Mahendra and Kruthika got married in May 2024 and were both working at a hospital in Bengaluru.
A local court has rejected Mahendra’s bail plea, saying the case is serious and the evidence against him is strong. Police investigation in the matter is still ongoing.
