FIR filed against govt doctor for instructing to 'kill' COVID-19 patient

Latur: Police have filed an FIR against a senior doctor from a government hospital in Maharashtra's Latur district after an audio clip surfaced on social media, allegedly capturing him instructing a colleague to "kill" a COVID-19 patient during the peak of the pandemic in 2021.

The accused, Dr Shashikant Deshpande, was serving as additional district surgeon at Udgir Government Hospital at the time, while Dr Shashikant Dange was posted at a COVID-19 care centre.

The widely circulated clip is purportedly from a period when hospitals were overwhelmed with patients and resources were severely strained.

The patient, Kausar Fatima, wife of Dayami Ajimoddin Gaussoddin (53), had later recovered from the disease.

In the conversation, Dr Deshpande is allegedly heard saying, "Don't allow anyone to go inside; just kill that Dayami woman." To this, Dr Dange responds cautiously, noting that oxygen support had already been reduced.

Following a complaint by Gaussoddin, the Udgir city police registered a case against Dr Shashikant Deshpande on May 24 under legal provisions related to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, among other offences.

Inspector Dilip Gade informed PTI that Deshpande's mobile phone had been seized, a notice had been issued to him, and his statement was being recorded. He also stated that police were in the process of verifying the authenticity of the audio clip.

The police have also issued a notice to Dr Dange. "He is out of the district and will come tomorrow. After that, we will collect his mobile phone and conduct an inquiry," Gade said.

As per the FIR, the complainant said that in 2021, during the pandemic, his wife Kausar Fatima (then aged 41) tested positive for COVID-19.

She was admitted as an inpatient at the government hospital in Udgir on April 15, 2021, and COVID-19 treatment was being provided in a building opposite an eye hospital on Nanded Road, under the management of the hospital. Dr Dange was treating COVID-19 patients at that centre.

The woman remained admitted there for 10 days. Around the seventh day of her admission, her husband was sitting beside Dr Dange while he was having lunch.

At that moment, Dr Dange, who received a call from Dr Deshpande, placed the phone on speaker and continued the conversation regarding hospital matters.

During the call, Dr Deshpande enquired about bed availability. When Dr Dange informed him that no beds were vacant, the complainant alleged that he distinctly heard Dr Deshpande say, "Kill the Dayami patient. You're used to dealing with such people," along with a caste-based slur.

Shocked by the remarks, the complainant chose to remain silent at the time, as his wife was still undergoing treatment. A few days later, she recovered and was discharged.

However, on May 2, 2025, an audio clip of the purported conversation surfaced on social media. Hearing the remarks again deeply affected the complainant, who stated that they offended his religious sentiments, particularly the alleged caste-related comments. He subsequently filed a police complaint.

(inputs from PTI)