CHENNAI/BHOPAL/NAGPUR: The death toll from the adulterated cough syrup has increased to 23, following the renal failure deaths of two additional children on Thursday. Police have apprehended Govindan Ranganathan (75), the proprietor of Sresan Pharmaceuticals based in Tamil Nadu, the manufacturer of the Coldrif medicine. The most recent victims, Garvik Pawar and Mayank Suryawanshi, both aged between one and two years and residents of Umreth tehsil in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, succumbed at GMCH in Nagpur. Medical professionals reported that they experienced acute kidney failure and brain damage after consuming the syrup contaminated with DEG, an industrial solvent commonly found in brake fluids. Chhindwara has recorded 20 fatalities, all occurring within a span of 45 days. Ten children died at GMCH Nagpur, while others passed away in nearby medical facilities. These deaths have ignited a political blame game. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that the Tamil Nadu government should clarify how it renewed the license for Sresan, while Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian remarked, “The Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government approved the drug, but we notified them.” Ranganathan was arrested at his home in Chennai by a seven-member Special Investigation Team from Madhya Pradesh. His manager, Jayaraman, and lab assistant, Maheswari, were also taken into custody. All three individuals were brought before a Chennai court, which issued a transit warrant for their transfer to Chhindwara.
Authorities have confiscated 589 bottles of Coldrif syrup in Chhindwara and a total of 1,534 bottles across the state. Testing of Batch SR-13 by the drug control laboratory in Tamil Nadu revealed hazardous levels of DEG, leading to the suspension of Sresan’s manufacturing license and the sealing of its facility located in Sunguvarchatram, within Kanchipuram district of TN. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been stationed in Tamil Nadu for several days. Ranganathan had been evading capture along with his wife since the incident came to light. A reward of Rs 20,000 was placed for his capture. He is facing charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, drug adulteration, and breaches of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Tamil Nadu’s health minister, Ma Subramanian, stated that the state detected the presence of DEG and initiated criminal proceedings against the company. “The Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government had approved the drug, but we notified them. We will permanently shut down the facility within a few days,” he remarked. Additionally, the minister suspended two senior drug inspectors — Deepa Joseph and K Karthikeyan — for their failure to conduct the required inspections of Sresan’s plant as mandated by law.
