Bhopal/Chhindwara, Oct 9
he death toll from the toxic Coldrif cough syrup tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district has risen to 22, following the death of five-year-old Mayank Suryavanshi.
The tragedy has triggered a massive investigation and public outcry. The Madhya Pradesh Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the deaths and have arrested Sresan Pharma’s owner, Ranganathan Govindrajan, from Chennai.
In response to the mounting fatalities, the Madhya Pradesh government has suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration. The state’s drug controller has also been transferred.
With several children still undergoing treatment in Nagpur hospitals, five of them in critical condition, the death toll may rise further. The Chhindwara tragedy has reignited concerns over drug safety, regulatory oversight, and accountability in India’s pharmaceutical sector.