Sresan Owner Arrested Over Coldrif Syrup Deaths, Investigation Intensifies Across India
S Ranganathan, owner of Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceutical firm Sresan, was arrested in Chennai in connection with the deaths of 19 children linked to the company’s Coldrif cough syrup.
Chhindwara Superintendent of Police Ajay Pandey confirmed that Ranganathan will be produced before a Chennai court and then transferred to Madhya Pradesh after obtaining a transit remand. Authorities had been actively searching for him following the tragic incidents.
Toxic Syrup Claims Young Lives
The Coldrif cough syrup has caused multiple deaths across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Children developed severe kidney infections after consuming the syrup, prompting widespread concern.
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla stated that twenty children died in the state, while five others remain hospitalized. He added that seventeen of the victims were from Chhindwara, two from Betul, and one from Pandhurna.
Government Intervention and Safety Measures
The Union Health Ministry confirmed that Coldrif contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic chemical in industrial solvents. Following these findings, the government of Tamil Nadu prohibited the sale of Coldrif starting from October 1 and ordered the destruction of all the stocks already available.
According to the Food and Drug Administration report, the samples taken from Sresan’s factory in Kancheepuram were impure, resulting in an instant suspension of production.
Analysis: Urgent Need for Accountability
The Coldrif cough syrup row has shaken the nation, exposing serious lapses in how medicines are tested and approved. Behind every statistic are families grieving children who should never have been at risk. The incident is a sad testimony that pharmaceutical quality control cannot be disregarded.
The investigations into Sresan’s supply chain, which is located in Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, have begun, and unfortunately, the harm has already been inflicted. It is now up to the authorities to win back the public's trust by tightening safety checks, introducing strict accountability measures, and ensuring this sort of thing never happens again.