'Kill the Covid 19 patient': Doctor heard telling colleague in viral audio clip

May 29, 2025 by News Desk

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In a chilling turn of events, Maharashtra Police have registered an FIR against a senior government doctor in Latur after an audio clip surfaced allegedly capturing him instructing a colleague to “kill” a COVID-19 patient during the 2021 pandemic peak. The incident, though over three years old, has resurfaced after the audio went viral on social media earlier this month, as per a report by Press Trust of India.

The accused, Dr Shashikant Deshpande—then additional district surgeon at Udgir Government Hospital—is purportedly heard telling another doctor, Shashikant Dange, “Don’t allow anyone to go inside, just kill that Dayami woman,” referring to 41-year-old COVID-19 patient Kausar Fatima. At the time, Dr Dange was posted at a COVID-19 care centre in Udgir.

Ironically, the Indian government had celebrated the “bravery” of doctors during the pandemic. Helicopters showered rose petals on hospitals, and doctors were publicly praised for working overtime. Yet, even then, multiple cases of medical negligence surfaced across the country—this case now adding to that list with a disturbing new dimension.

According to police, the woman survived and was discharged after recovering from the disease. However, her husband, Dayami Ajimoddin Gaussoddin, who had overheard the speaker-phone conversation between the two doctors while sitting with Dr Dange, filed a complaint after the clip resurfaced online in May 2025.

In the audio, Deshpande allegedly justifies his instruction with a caste-based slur, which the complainant says not only shocked him but deeply hurt his religious sentiments. “Kill the Dayami patient. You’re used to dealing with such people,” the voice reportedly says.

The Udgir city police registered the FIR on May 24 under sections related to deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings, among others. Inspector Dilip Gade confirmed the seizure of Deshpande’s mobile phone, adding that his statement is being recorded and the clip’s authenticity is under forensic examination. A notice has also been issued to Dr Dange, who is currently outside the district.

As per the complaint, Kausar Fatima was admitted to the COVID-19 ward on April 15, 2021. The conversation in question allegedly took place around her seventh day in care, when her husband happened to be present during Dr Dange’s lunchtime call.