Maharashtra News: Surgeon Booked Over Viral Audio Clip Allegedly Instructing Junior to ‘Kill’ Covid Patient

2021 audio resurfaces in 2025; No harm occurred but serious ethical and legal questions raised

Maharashtra: A senior government doctor in Maharashtra’s Latur district has been booked after an audio clip from 2021 surfaced online, allegedly capturing him instructing a junior doctor to “kill” a Covid-19 patient during the peak of the pandemic.

The clip, which has since gone viral on social media, is purportedly of Dr Shashikant Deshpande, who was serving as Additional District Surgeon at the Udgir Government Hospital, speaking to Dr Shashikant Dange, then posted at a Covid-19 care centre managed by the hospital.

The conversation reportedly took place during April 2021, when hospitals across the country were overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients and facing severe shortages of beds, oxygen, and staff. In the audio, a voice believed to be Dr Deshpande’s is allegedly heard saying, “Don’t allow anyone to go inside, just kill that Dayami woman.” Dr Dange, in response, is heard replying that oxygen support had already been reduced for the patient.

The patient in question, Kausar Fatima, was admitted on April 15, 2021, and was undergoing treatment for Covid-19. She eventually recovered and was discharged after 10 days. However, the resurfacing of the audio clip on May 2, 2025, has led to public outrage and prompted a police investigation.

Based on a formal complaint filed by Fatima’s husband, Dayami Ajimoddin Gaussoddin, the Udgir City Police registered a case against Dr Deshpande on May 24, under multiple sections including those for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.

Inspector Dilip Gade confirmed that Deshpande’s mobile phone has been seized, and a notice was issued for his cooperation in the investigation. His statement is currently being recorded. The police are also verifying the authenticity of the audio clip.

A notice has also been served to Dr Dange, who is currently out of the district. Authorities plan to collect his mobile phone for further examination once he returns.

Complainant’s Statement

According to the FIR, Gaussoddin was present beside Dr Dange on the seventh day of his wife’s admission while the latter was having lunch and received a call on speaker mode. He claims to have clearly heard Dr Deshpande’s remarks, including a caste-based slur.

Although he chose to remain silent at the time due to his wife’s ongoing treatment, Gaussoddin said the re-emergence of the clip on social media in May 2025 left him disturbed and offended, especially by the alleged communal and casteist language used in the conversation.

While no physical harm came to the patient, the tone and content of the alleged instructions have sparked serious concerns about medical ethics, caste discrimination, and the mental strain within the healthcare system during the Covid-19 emergency.

Authorities have not yet announced whether administrative disciplinary action will accompany the criminal investigation. The incident has reignited debate about accountability and conduct in India’s healthcare system, especially during national crises.

Further developments are awaited as the inquiry progresses.