Viral Audio Reveals Shocking ‘Kill Patient’ Instruction During Covid Crisis
New Delhi | May 31, 2025 — A disturbing audio clip has sparked outrage and triggered a formal investigation against a senior medical officer in Maharashtra’s Latur district. The recording, allegedly from the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, features a conversation where a doctor can be heard instructing a colleague to “kill” a patient in order to vacate a hospital bed.
The audio, which surfaced on social media on May 2, 2025, features Dr. Shashikant Deshpande, then additional district surgeon at Udgir Government Hospital, and Dr. Shashikant Dange, who was assigned to a Covid care centre in Latur. The patient in question, Kausar Fatima, survived the illness, but the resurfaced clip has led to renewed scrutiny of medical practices during the pandemic.
Disturbing Exchange in the Viral Clip
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed on May 24, the complainant — Fatima’s husband Dayami Ajimoddin Gaussoddin — recounted the events of April 2021, when his wife was admitted for Covid-19 treatment in a facility managed by the Udgir Government Hospital.
During one of his visits, while sitting beside Dr. Dange, he overheard a phone conversation placed on speaker between Dange and Deshpande. In the recording, Dr. Deshpande is reportedly heard saying:
“Don’t allow anyone to go inside, just kill that Dayami woman.”
To which Dr. Dange responded by mentioning that the oxygen supply had already been reduced. The patient recovered and was discharged ten days later, but the audio clip’s emergence years later has reignited anger and demands for accountability.
Allegations Include Caste and Religious Slurs
The FIR further alleges that Dr. Deshpande made caste-based slurs during the same conversation. These comments, combined with the directive to “kill” a patient, have deeply offended the complainant’s religious sentiments.
“I remained silent then because my wife was still undergoing treatment,” said Gaussoddin. “But after hearing the same words again on social media, I felt it was necessary to speak up.”
The charges filed include deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, and other serious offences under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Police Seize Phone, Verify Audio Authenticity
The Udgir City Police have since recorded Dr. Deshpande’s statement and seized his mobile phone. Inspector Dilip Gade, who is overseeing the investigation, stated that verification of the audio clip’s authenticity is underway.
“He is currently out of the district. Once he returns, we will collect additional evidence and proceed with the inquiry,” said Inspector Gade.
The investigation will also explore whether the conversation was taken out of context or manipulated. Nonetheless, the ethical implications of the remarks remain severe.
Pandemic Pressure or Criminal Negligence?
The case has reignited concerns about the mental and ethical strain placed on medical professionals during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which overwhelmed hospitals across India. Bed shortages, oxygen crises, and patient overload led to unprecedented stress in healthcare settings.
However, legal experts argue that no level of stress can justify such a statement, even hypothetically. Medical associations have condemned the incident and are calling for strict ethical reviews and possible suspension of license if wrongdoing is confirmed.