Cough Syrup Tragedy: Pharma Company Owner Arrested in Chennai Over Children’s Deaths
CHENNAI: In a major breakthrough in the tragic cough syrup case that has shocked the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the proprietor of the manufacturing company, Sresan Pharmaceuticals, has been arrested in Chennai. G. Ranganathan was taken into custody on Thursday morning in connection with the deaths of several children who had consumed a contaminated cough syrup named “Coldrif.”
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Madhya Pradesh, with assistance from the Ashok Nagar police in Chennai, apprehended Ranganathan from his residence in Kodambakkam today. The syrup is linked to the deaths of at least 21 children in Madhya Pradesh alone, according to police findings.
Following the arrest, a joint team of Madhya Pradesh and Chennai police conducted an extensive raid on the company’s manufacturing unit located in Sunguvarchatram, Kancheepuram district. Investigators seized production records and medicine samples from the facility.
The manufacturing plant, situated along the Chennai-Bengaluru highway, has since been sealed by the authorities. The company’s registered office in Kodambakkam was found to be shut.
Police suspect that the company was aware of the impending investigation. Local residents reported seeing staff members suspiciously clearing out computers and other equipment from the Kodambakkam office late at night last week, a move police believe may have been an attempt to destroy evidence.
The swift action by the SIT was triggered by a damning laboratory report from the Tamil Nadu Director of Drugs Control. The analysis confirmed the presence of lethal toxic substances in the “Coldrif” cough syrup.
This crucial report was submitted to the Madhya Pradesh government on October 4. Based on these findings, the Madhya Pradesh government immediately imposed a ban on “Coldrif” and all other medicines manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. Subsequently, the SIT was formed, and the investigation was extended to Tamil Nadu, leading to today’s arrest.
Ranganathan has been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant laws. The Madhya Pradesh police stated that the investigation is ongoing to determine if more individuals were involved in the case.
