Sresan Pharma owner in police net as Coldrif tragedy claims 22 lives

In a dramatic crackdown against a deadly pharmaceutical scandal, Madhya Pradesh police, aided by Chennai authorities, apprehended the owner of Sresan Pharma in the early hours of Thursday, 9 October, holding him responsible for the toxic Coldrif cough syrup that has tragically claimed 22 innocent lives.

Two more children from Parasia town in Chhindwara district succumbed to the illness. Five-year-old Vishal passed away on Wednesday evening, while four-year-old Mayank Suryavanshi died late at night while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nagpur, Maharashtra, said Chhindwara additional collector Dhirendra Singh Netri. Several other children from MP remain under treatment in Nagpur.

The children reportedly suffered kidney failure caused by the toxic cough syrup, according to officials.

In a high-stakes midnight operation, Madhya Pradesh and Chennai police joined forces to track down and apprehend Ranganathan, the owner of Sresan Pharma, whose company’s notorious Coldrif cough syrup has been linked to the tragic deaths of children across multiple states.

A senior police official revealed that the manhunt, launched on October 7, culminated in his arrest at 1:30 am today, following relentless efforts by the joint teams. Ranganathan was taken to Sunguvarchatram police station for initial inquiry, and authorities also seized critical documents from his Kancheepuram factory as part of the probe.

He is set to be produced in court to obtain transit remand, after which he will be escorted to Chhindwara, the epicenter of the devastating tragedy. The operation marks a decisive step in the pursuit of justice for the innocent lives lost to the adulterated syrup.

On Thursday, the SIT arrested Ranganathan Govindan, owner of Sresan Pharma, in Chennai in connection with the adulterated medicine. The drug factory has also been sealed. Govindan will be presented in a Chennai court for transit remand and is expected to be brought to Parasia by Friday.

In the wake of the tragedy, the MP government has taken several administrative actions:

• Suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

• Transferred the state drug controller.

• Chhindwara-based Dr Praveen Soni was arrested for alleged negligence in handling cases linked to the syrup. A local court in Parasia rejected Soni’s bail application on Wednesday.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has threatened to go on an indefinite strike in the district in protest of Dr Soni’s arrest.

The tragic case has raised serious concerns about drug safety, regulatory oversight, and accountability in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of contamination and ensure preventive measures to avoid further casualties.

With PTI inputs