The owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup, has been arrested in connection with the deaths of at least 19 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, after the medicine was found to contain high levels of the toxic industrial chemical diethylene glycol.
According to the police, Ranganathan was arrested last night and will be taken to Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district where most of the deaths have been reported after securing transit remand. The arrest came shortly after he was detained for questioning by the Madhya Pradesh Police.
A damning 26-page report by the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department has exposed the unhygienic and unsafe conditions under which the cough syrup was produced.
The report cited over 350 violations by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, including the use of rusted equipment and the illegal use of non-pharma-grade chemicals in manufacturing.
Also Read : Inspectors find 350 violations at Coldrif pharma plant
The report has raised serious concerns over the company’s quality control and regulatory compliance, as the syrup’s contamination is believed to have caused the deaths of several children who consumed it.
Authorities in both Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are coordinating to determine how the contaminated batch reached the market and whether lapses occurred in the testing or approval process. Samples of the syrup have been sent for further forensic examination.
The deaths in Chhindwara and adjoining areas have triggered outrage among families and health officials, with demands for stricter enforcement of pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.
Police sources said further arrests may follow as the investigation expands to include suppliers and officials responsible for quality checks.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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