Cough syrup tragedy: Police detains Sresan Pharma owner S Ranganathan

Police have detained the owner of Sresan Pharma, the Chennai-based company accused of manufacturing the toxic cough syrup Coldrif, which has claimed the lives of 20 children in Madhya Pradesh, as per reports.

The detainment follows a massive operation led by the Chhindwara Police, who travelled to Chennai and Kanchipuram to take the accused into custody.

Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said on Wednesday that the government is committed to ensuring justice for the families who lost their children.

"A police team from Chhindwara has detained the owner of the company which manufactures 'Coldrif' cough syrup," Shukla told reporters.

Death Toll Rises to 20 as More Children Succumb to Suspected Toxic Syrup

The situation remains grim as three more children, Dhani Deharia (1.5 years) from Tamia, Jyanshu Yaduvanshi (2 years) from Junnardev, and Vedansh Pawar (2.5 years) from Ridhora, died within the past 24 hours while undergoing treatment in Nagpur hospitals.

With these deaths, the total toll has climbed to 20: 17 from Chhindwara, one from Pandhurna, and two from Betul. Five more children remain in critical condition, according to hospital sources in Nagpur.

Toxic Chemicals in Coldrif Syrup Caused Kidney Damage, Say Lab Reports

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the Coldrif cough syrup contained toxic substances that caused severe kidney damage in children. Within hours of consumption, symptoms of renal failure appeared, leading to a rapid decline in their condition.

In response, the Chhindwara district administration has sealed five medical shops and sent syrup samples for detailed laboratory testing. Authorities are also issuing warnings across villages, urging parents not to give any cough syrup to their children.

Doctors Under Investigation as IMA Opposes Wrongful Implication

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed concern over the alleged wrongful targeting of doctors in the case. Some private practitioners, including Praveen Soni, are under scrutiny for prescribing or administering the syrup to children.

The IMA has warned of a possible strike if the harassment of doctors continues. Deputy Chief Minister Shukla, however, appealed to doctors to maintain calm and follow the Union government’s advisory, which discourages the prescription of cough syrups for children under four years of age.

Congress Demands Rs 1 Crore Compensation, Blames Government for Negligence

The tragedy has triggered a political uproar in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress party has demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for each affected family and accused the BJP-led government of negligence and poor monitoring of pharmaceutical products.

Meanwhile, the BJP has maintained that the investigation is being carried out transparently and assured that everyone responsible, including the manufacturer, will face strict legal action.

Madhya Pradesh on High Alert as Government Steps Up Health Safety Measures

The state government has stepped up inspections of pharmaceutical products meant for children and has urged parents to seek medical advice only from recognised hospitals. Officials have assured that stern action will be taken against Sresan Pharma and any medical store found selling unapproved or unsafe medicines.

Public awareness drives are also being conducted to prevent further tragedies, with health teams visiting rural areas to warn families against giving cold syrups to children.

Inputs from agencies