Maharashtra Police have filed an FIR against Dr. Shashikant Deshpande, a senior government doctor, after a shocking audio clip from the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic surfaced online. In the recording, the doctor is allegedly heard instructing a colleague to “kill” a Muslim woman patient to make a hospital bed available, reported the Hindustan Times.
The patient, identified as Kausar Fatima, had been admitted to Udgir Government Hospital with Covid-19 symptoms on April 15, 2021. She was discharged after recovering following a 10-day stay.
According to the FIR, Dr. Deshpande called his colleague, Dr. Shashikant Dange, to inquire if any hospital beds were vacant. When Dr. Dange informed him that no beds were currently available, Dr. Deshpande allegedly responded with a chilling remark:
“Kill that Muslim woman (Kausar Fatima), a bed will be freed and you’ll also earn some spiritual merit.”
The phone was reportedly on speaker at the time, and Kausar Fatima’s husband, Ajimoddin Gaussoddin, who was nearby, overheard the conversation. Deeply disturbed, he later approached the police with a formal complaint.
The incident, which took place during the peak of the Covid-19 crisis in 2021, has triggered outrage after the audio clip recently went viral on social media platforms. The clip also reportedly contains casteist and communal remarks by Dr. Deshpande.
Latur police have seized Dr. Deshpande’s mobile phone and issued a notice to him. Inspector Dilip Gade confirmed that his statement is being recorded and the forensic verification of the audio clip is underway.
A case has been registered under several serious charges, including those related to inciting hatred and deliberately hurting religious sentiments.
Dr. Dange, who was involved in the call, is currently out of the district and is expected to return shortly, after which his phone will also be seized for investigation.
