MP Court Remands Sresen Pharma Owner After Contaminated Coldrif Syrup Kills Children

Ranganathan Govindan, owner of Tamil Nadu-based Sresen Pharma, was remanded in judicial custody on Monday in connection with the deaths of more than 20 children who consumed the company’s contaminated cough syrup, ‘Coldrif’, PTI reported.

Govindan was produced before Additional Sessions Judge Gautam Gurjar in Parasia town after completing a 10-day police custody. During the remand, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had taken him to Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, for questioning, SIT chief Jitendra Singh Jaat said.

The incident has claimed the lives of at least 24 children from Chhindwara and neighbouring districts. Investigations revealed that the syrup was toxic and caused kidney failure, officials said. The manufacturing unit of Sresen Pharma has been sealed following the probe.

Other accused in the case — Dr Praveen Soni of Chhindwara, who prescribed the syrup; his nephew Rajesh Soni, a medicine wholesaler; and Saurabh Jain, a pharmacist at a medical store owned by Dr Soni’s wife — are already in judicial custody, Jaat added.

Following the deaths, the Madhya Pradesh government suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and transferred the state’s drug controller, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, a local court rejected Dr Soni’s bail plea, prompting him to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court, according to officials.Ranganathan Govindan, owner of Tamil Nadu-based Sresen Pharma, which manufactured the contaminated cough syrup ‘Coldrif’ linked to the deaths of more than 20 children in Madhya Pradesh, was on Monday remanded in judicial custody by a local court, according to PTI.

Govindan was produced before Additional Sessions Judge Gautam Gurjar in Parasia town after the expiry of his 10-day police custody, Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief Jitendra Singh Jaat said. The SIT had earlier taken Govindan to Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu for questioning during the remand period.

PTI reported that the case concerns the deaths of at least 24 children from Chhindwara and nearby districts, who reportedly suffered kidney failure after consuming the ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup, later found to be toxic. The manufacturing unit of Sresen Pharma has since been sealed, officials said.

Other accused in the case — Chhindwara-based doctor Praveen Soni, who prescribed the syrup; his nephew Rajesh Soni, a wholesaler of medicines; and Saurabh Jain, a pharmacist at a medical store owned by Dr Soni’s wife — are already in judicial custody, Jaat added.

In administrative action following the incident, the Madhya Pradesh government suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The state’s drug controller was also transferred over the matter.

In a related development, a local court rejected Dr Soni’s bail plea, prompting him to move the Madhya Pradesh High Court, reported PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)