Cough syrup deaths: SC rejects PIL seeking CBI probe, drug safety review; toll at 21 in MP

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a CBI investigation into the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consuming toxic cough syrup .

The deaths, caused by reportedly counterfeit cough syrup, have sparked widespread concern and panic. Over 20 children have died in the two states after reportedly taking the contaminated medicine.

The cough syrup, named “Coldrif” and manufactured by Sresan Pharma , has been linked to these deaths across multiple states.

In a major development, the Madhya Pradesh police , with help from Chennai police, arrested Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan in the early hours of Thursday. Chennai police had launched a hunt to trace him.

The Tamil Nadu government had earlier sealed the factory after 20 children from Madhya Pradesh died due to the contaminated syrup. From October 1, the state banned “Coldrif” and ordered the removal of its stocks from the market. Several other states have also imposed a ban on the cough syrup.