Mumbai: A shocking audio clip, of a senior government doctor allegedly instructing another medic to “kill” a COVID-19 patient during the pandemic’s second wave in 2021, has recently surfaced online.
As the audio clip went viral on social media, Maharashtra Police registered an FIR against Dr Shashikant Deshpande, who was the additional district surgeon at Udgir Government Hospital four years ago, reported PTI.
In the viral audio clip, which allegedly captures a conversation between Dr Deshpande and Dr Shashikant Dange, the former can be heard saying, “Don’t allow anyone to go inside, just kill that Dayami woman.”
Kausar Fatima, the patient in question, was hospitalised with COVID symptoms on April 15, 2021. She recovered and was discharged from the hospital after 10 days.
Her husband Dayami Ajimoddin Gaussoddin registered a formal police complaint, claiming that he was present when the alleged conversation took place.
According to the FIR, Gaussoddin said he overheard the call as he was sitting beside Dr Dange, who had placed the phone on speaker while having lunch.
Besides the shocking “kill” comment, Deshpande also allegedly used caste-based slurs, which Gaussoddin said caused him deep emotional and religious hurt.
Latur police have initiated a probe into the case, which has been filed under sections pertaining to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, among other serious charges.
The doctor’s statement will be recorded, Inspector Dilip Gade told PTI, adding that the authenticity of the audio clip is under forensic examination.
“Dr Dange is out of the district and will come tomorrow. After that, we will collect his mobile phone and conduct an inquiry,” Gade said.
