Police have registered a criminal case against a senior government doctor in Latur after an audio clip surfaced on social media, allegedly capturing him telling a colleague to "kill" a COVID-19 patient during the peak of the pandemic in 2021, a PTI report stated. The accused, Dr Shashikant Deshpande, was then posted as additional district surgeon at the Udgir Government Hospital. The clip involves a conversation between him and Dr Shashikant Dange, who was working at a COVID-19 care centre under the hospital's jurisdiction.
Audio clip triggers action after going viral
The First Information Report (FIR) was filed on May 24 based on a complaint by Dayami Ajimoddin Gaussoddin. His wife, Kausar Fatima, had tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the Udgir hospital on April 15, 2021. She recovered and was discharged after ten days.The audio clip, which recently surfaced online, appears to be from that time. In it, Dr Deshpande is allegedly heard saying, "Don't allow anyone to go inside, just kill that Dayami woman." In response, Dr Dange is heard saying oxygen support had already been reduced.
According to the FIR, the complainant said he overheard this exchange in real time while sitting beside Dr Dange, who was eating lunch and had placed the call on speakerphone.
Complaint alleges caste-based slur
The complainant told police that the doctor also made a caste-based comment during the call. Though he remained silent then, as his wife was still under treatment, the matter resurfaced when the audio went viral on May 2, 2025. The complainant said hearing the remarks again caused emotional distress and hurt his religious sentiments.Police verify clip, question doctors
Inspector Dilip Gade of Udgir city police said, "We have seized Dr Deshpande’s mobile phone, issued a notice to him and his statement is being recorded." He added that police are verifying the clip’s authenticity.A notice has also been issued to Dr Dange. "He is out of district and will come tomorrow. After that, we will collect his mobile phone and conduct an inquiry," Gade said.
The FIR includes legal provisions for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and other offences.