Doctor arrested, Pharma company booked over cough syrup death of children in Madhya Pradesh

Chhindwara (The Uttam Hindu): Following the deaths of 10 children in Madhya Pradesh, the administration has taken strict action. Dr. Praveen Soni was arrested late Saturday night in connection with the case. He had prescribed the cough syrup to most of the children, which led to the tragedy. Previously, an FIR was filed at the Parasia police station against the doctor and the cold syrup manufacturer, Sresun Pharmaceutical.

Major action taken in Chhindwara over child deaths; doctor who prescribed cold-relieving cough syrup arrested; FIR also filed against pharma company: A case has been registered against Dr Praveen Soni and the syrup manufacturing company under section 27(A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, sections 105 and 276 of the Indian Penal Code. The complaint against the doctor was lodged by BMO of Parasia CHC Ankit Sahlam. The test report of Coldrif cough syrup came out late Saturday night, in which it was found that 48.6% diethylene glycol was found in the syrup, which is extremely poisonous and can cause serious health damage.

Following the incident, the state government has imposed a complete ban on the sale of this syrup in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that this is a very sad incident and that other products of the syrup manufacturing company are also being banned. The syrup was manufactured in a factory in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The government requested an investigation from the Tamil Nadu government, the report of which was received on Saturday. The government has also formed a state-level investigation team and has assured strict punishment to the culprits. Meanwhile, politics has also intensified on this issue.

Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath criticized the government and demanded financial assistance of ₹50 lakh each for the families of the deceased children. This demand comes after the Chief Minister announced compensation of ₹4 lakh each. Kamal Nath called it a "man-made tragedy" and said it was not just an accident.

He also said that some families are treating their children at their own expense and the government should help them. He called for a statewide campaign against counterfeit and toxic medicines to prevent such incidents in the future.

Kamal Nath also accused the government of allowing the sale of such toxic drugs to continue unchecked for a long time, revealing the failure of the state's law and order and administrative machinery. This matter has now become a matter of serious national concern, and all eyes are focused on the investigation and action related to it.