Madhya Pradesh Doctor Arrested After 11 Children Die from Toxic Cough Syrup

Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have arrested a doctor in Chhindwara district after 11 children died allegedly from consuming contaminated cough syrup.

The doctor, identified as Dr. Praveen Soni, is accused of prescribing Coldrif syrup to several children, most of whom were treated at his clinic in Parasia, according to a Times of India report. Police have also filed a case against Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Tamil Nadu–based drug manufacturer, over suspected contamination in the medicine.

An FIR was registered early Sunday at Parasia police station under relevant sections of the IPC, citing the deaths of several children under five who were given the syrup. Laboratory tests reportedly confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic industrial chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluids — in the syrup.

Chhindwara district collector Sheelendra Singh said biopsy reports from the victims showed kidney damage consistent with DEG poisoning.

Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh government banned the sale of Coldrif syrup across the state after nine deaths were initially reported in Parasia tehsil. “The concentration of diethylene glycol was found to be over 48%, compared to the permissible limit of just 0.1%. The concentration is extremely dangerous,” said state drug controller D.K. Maurya.

Maurya added that the contaminated syrup appeared to have been distributed only in Chhindwara, though drug inspectors statewide have been alerted. Test results are still awaited for another suspected product, Nexa DS syrup.

The development comes after the Tamil Nadu government banned Coldrif cough syrup on October 1, ordering its removal from shelves following its alleged link to child deaths in both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.