BHOPAL: Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have arrested a doctor in Chhindwara following the deaths of 11 children who reportedly consumed contaminated cough syrup.
The doctor, identified as Praveen Soni, is said to have prescribed the Coldrif syrup to the children, most of whom were treated at his clinic in Parasia.
Police have also booked the manufacturers of the pharmaceutical company based in Tamil Nadu over the alleged contamination.
Read also: Cough syrup tragedy: Madhya Pradesh bans Coldrif as kids' death toll rises to 11; test report confirms poisonous chemical.
Also read: Madhya Pradesh bans Coldrif as kids' death toll rises to 11; test report confirms poisonous chemical
'FIR registered at 2.05 am'
Madhya Pradesh police early on Sunday registered an FIR in Parasia police station of Chhindwara district against Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Tamil Nadu-based drug manufacturer and a local paediatrician after 11 children died of acute kidney failure allegedly caused by consumption of Coldrif cough syrup adulterated with a toxic industrial chemical.
The FIR was registered at 2.05 am on Sunday.
The FIR was lodged under Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 27(a) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, following a complaint filed by Dr Ankit Sahlam, Block Medical Officer (BMO) at the Community Health Centre, Parasia.
The complaint stated that several children below five years of age died after being administered the cough syrup, which was later found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG) — a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluids.
According to the FIR, the Director of Drugs Control, Tamil Nadu, in its laboratory report dated October 2, 2025, confirmed that Coldrif Syrup (Batch No. SR-13, Mfg. May 2025, Exp. Apr 2027), manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Kanchipuram, contained 48.6% diethylene glycol, while a separate test by the govt Drug Testing Laboratory, Bhopal, found 46.28% of the same toxic compound.
Both reports declared the samples “adulterated and injurious to health.”
The complaint detailed how the children — all below the age of five — were treated for cold, cough, and fever by Praveen Soni, a govt paediatrician posted at CHC Parasia.
Within days, they developed reduced urine output and elevated creatinine and urea levels, symptoms consistent with acute kidney injury.
Ten of them later died during treatment at Nagpur’s Government Medical College and Hospital.
Those named in the FIR include the directors of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Dr Praveen Soni of Parasia, and “other responsible persons” involved in the manufacturing and supply of the contaminated syrup.
The FIR cites medical records and laboratory findings that confirm acute tubular injury in one of the victims, four-year-old Vikas Yaduvanshi, whose kidney biopsy was conducted at GMC Nagpur.
Investigators said that six more children remain hospitalised in Nagpur with kidney complications.
Officials added that similar instructions to lodge an FIR had been issued to the Drug Inspector in Jabalpur, though no case was registered there as of now.
Also read: Now, 12 kids’ deaths linked to cough syrup in MP, Raj; Centre issues advisory
'Doctor suspended'
The health department suspended the accused doctor, Praveen Soni, on Sunday morning.
The suspension order issued by Commissioner Health, Tarun Rathi, noted, “Dr Praveen Soni, a paediatrician posted at Civil Hospital, Parasia, District Chhindwara was found to be conducting private practice during which he prescribed certain medicines to infants brought to him for treatment.
After consuming the prescribed medicines, several of these children developed high fever and difficulty in urination, following which some of them tragically died.
The inquiry into the matter revealed that Soni prescribed medicines that adversely affected the kidneys of the infants, leading to their deaths.
The findings make it clear that Praveen Soni, while engaging in private practice, prescribed medicines to infants, and it was after consuming those medicines that the children developed severe fever, difficulty in passing urine, and ultimately suffered kidney failure resulting in death.
The report further stated that if Soni had properly examined the children, accurately diagnosed their condition, and provided appropriate treatment, their lives might have been saved. However, he failed to do so during his private practice.
As a result, Soni caused irreparable harm, tarnished the image of the department and proved incapable of fulfilling his official duties and responsibilities.”
(As per the FIR registered in Chhindwara against the doctor and the pharma company)
'Contained a poisonous industrial chemical'
A laboratory test report of Coldrif — the cough medicine taken by some of the victims — revealed it contained a poisonous industrial chemical, prompting the state to ban its sale.
The report, received by the MP government from the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department on Saturday, said the sample tested was “found adulterated, since it contains 48.6% diethylene glycol”.
Also read: Cough syrup row: Tests confirm presence of poisonous chemical; Madhya Pradesh bans sale of 'Coldrif'
DEG, used in anti-freeze and brake fluids, is known to cause acute kidney failure and death when ingested.
The state government immediately ordered a crackdown on Coldrif, manufactured by TN-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals, with the Food and Drugs Administration issuing urgent instructions to all drug inspectors to seize existing stocks, prevent further sales, and draw samples from other batches for testing.
The government also extended the prohibition to all other medicines made by the pharma company.
MP chief minister Mohan Yadav, in an X post, said, “Death of children in Chhindwara caused by Coldrif syrup is extremely painful.” Late Saturday evening, he announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of each of the deceased children. The state government would also bear the cost of treatment for the children still under care, Yadav said.
The cough-syrup-linked deaths in MP and Rajasthan have sounded alarm bells across the country, with several states announcing probes and taking precautionary measures.
The Central Drug Standards Control Organisation has initiated risk-based inspection of drug manufacturing units in six states — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, MP, and Maharashtra.
The inspections are focused on companies manufacturing cough syrups, antipyretics, and antibiotics, samples of which were picked up by drug regulatory authorities from regions where fatalities were reported.
The deaths in Chhindwara have taken place over a period of one month. All the children were aged below five years, and renal failure was reportedly caused after taking cough syrups, including Coldrif, prescribed by local doctors at private clinics.
Five children are recuperating at Government Medical College & Hospital in Nagpur.
The deaths, first reported in late August, were largely concentrated in villages in Parasia tehsil of Chhindwara. The children initially showed symptoms of cold and mild fever and were treated with cough syrups and routine medicines.
However, their condition worsened with reduced urine output and acute kidney complications.
The doctor, identified as Praveen Soni, is said to have prescribed the Coldrif syrup to the children, most of whom were treated at his clinic in Parasia.
Police have also booked the manufacturers of the pharmaceutical company based in Tamil Nadu over the alleged contamination.
Read also: Cough syrup tragedy: Madhya Pradesh bans Coldrif as kids' death toll rises to 11; test report confirms poisonous chemical.
Also read: Madhya Pradesh bans Coldrif as kids' death toll rises to 11; test report confirms poisonous chemical
'FIR registered at 2.05 am'
Madhya Pradesh police early on Sunday registered an FIR in Parasia police station of Chhindwara district against Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Tamil Nadu-based drug manufacturer and a local paediatrician after 11 children died of acute kidney failure allegedly caused by consumption of Coldrif cough syrup adulterated with a toxic industrial chemical.
The FIR was registered at 2.05 am on Sunday.
The FIR was lodged under Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 27(a) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, following a complaint filed by Dr Ankit Sahlam, Block Medical Officer (BMO) at the Community Health Centre, Parasia.
The complaint stated that several children below five years of age died after being administered the cough syrup, which was later found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG) — a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluids.
According to the FIR, the Director of Drugs Control, Tamil Nadu, in its laboratory report dated October 2, 2025, confirmed that Coldrif Syrup (Batch No. SR-13, Mfg. May 2025, Exp. Apr 2027), manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Kanchipuram, contained 48.6% diethylene glycol, while a separate test by the govt Drug Testing Laboratory, Bhopal, found 46.28% of the same toxic compound.
Both reports declared the samples “adulterated and injurious to health.”
The complaint detailed how the children — all below the age of five — were treated for cold, cough, and fever by Praveen Soni, a govt paediatrician posted at CHC Parasia.
Within days, they developed reduced urine output and elevated creatinine and urea levels, symptoms consistent with acute kidney injury.
Ten of them later died during treatment at Nagpur’s Government Medical College and Hospital.
Those named in the FIR include the directors of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Dr Praveen Soni of Parasia, and “other responsible persons” involved in the manufacturing and supply of the contaminated syrup.
The FIR cites medical records and laboratory findings that confirm acute tubular injury in one of the victims, four-year-old Vikas Yaduvanshi, whose kidney biopsy was conducted at GMC Nagpur.
Investigators said that six more children remain hospitalised in Nagpur with kidney complications.
Officials added that similar instructions to lodge an FIR had been issued to the Drug Inspector in Jabalpur, though no case was registered there as of now.
Also read: Now, 12 kids’ deaths linked to cough syrup in MP, Raj; Centre issues advisory
'Doctor suspended'
The health department suspended the accused doctor, Praveen Soni, on Sunday morning.
The suspension order issued by Commissioner Health, Tarun Rathi, noted, “Dr Praveen Soni, a paediatrician posted at Civil Hospital, Parasia, District Chhindwara was found to be conducting private practice during which he prescribed certain medicines to infants brought to him for treatment.
After consuming the prescribed medicines, several of these children developed high fever and difficulty in urination, following which some of them tragically died.
The inquiry into the matter revealed that Soni prescribed medicines that adversely affected the kidneys of the infants, leading to their deaths.
The findings make it clear that Praveen Soni, while engaging in private practice, prescribed medicines to infants, and it was after consuming those medicines that the children developed severe fever, difficulty in passing urine, and ultimately suffered kidney failure resulting in death.
The report further stated that if Soni had properly examined the children, accurately diagnosed their condition, and provided appropriate treatment, their lives might have been saved. However, he failed to do so during his private practice.
As a result, Soni caused irreparable harm, tarnished the image of the department and proved incapable of fulfilling his official duties and responsibilities.”
- Shivam Rathore (4) – First consulted Dr. Soni on Aug 24, 2025; died on Sep 4, 2025, in Nagpur.
- Vidhi Namita (3) – Shown to Dr. Soni on Sep 3; died on Sep 5, 2025, during treatment in Nagpur.
- Adnan – First seen on Aug 21; died on Sep 7, 2025, in Nagpur.
- Usaid (4) – Shown to Dr. Soni and Dr. Aman Siddiqui on Aug 25; died on Sep 13, 2025, in Nagpur.
- Rishika (5) – Shown to Dr. Amit Thakur on Aug 25; died on Sep 15, 2025, in Nagpur.
- Hitansh Soni (5) – Treated by Dr. Soni on Aug 29 for vomiting and abdominal pain; died on Sep 19, 2025.
- Chanchlesh – Consulted Dr. Soni on Sep 16; died on Sep 26, 2025.
- Vikas – Treated by Dr. Soni on Sep 19; died on Sep 26, 2025, during treatment in Nagpur.
- Sandhya – Shown to Dr. Soni after fever on Sep 19; died on Oct 1, 2025.
- Yogita Thakre (2) – First shown to Dr. Thakur on Sep 6 and later to Dr. Soni on Sep 9; died on Oct 4, 2025, in Nagpur.
(As per the FIR registered in Chhindwara against the doctor and the pharma company)
'Contained a poisonous industrial chemical'
A laboratory test report of Coldrif — the cough medicine taken by some of the victims — revealed it contained a poisonous industrial chemical, prompting the state to ban its sale.
The report, received by the MP government from the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department on Saturday, said the sample tested was “found adulterated, since it contains 48.6% diethylene glycol”.
Also read: Cough syrup row: Tests confirm presence of poisonous chemical; Madhya Pradesh bans sale of 'Coldrif'
DEG, used in anti-freeze and brake fluids, is known to cause acute kidney failure and death when ingested.
The state government immediately ordered a crackdown on Coldrif, manufactured by TN-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals, with the Food and Drugs Administration issuing urgent instructions to all drug inspectors to seize existing stocks, prevent further sales, and draw samples from other batches for testing.
The government also extended the prohibition to all other medicines made by the pharma company.
MP chief minister Mohan Yadav, in an X post, said, “Death of children in Chhindwara caused by Coldrif syrup is extremely painful.” Late Saturday evening, he announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of each of the deceased children. The state government would also bear the cost of treatment for the children still under care, Yadav said.
The cough-syrup-linked deaths in MP and Rajasthan have sounded alarm bells across the country, with several states announcing probes and taking precautionary measures.
The Central Drug Standards Control Organisation has initiated risk-based inspection of drug manufacturing units in six states — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, MP, and Maharashtra.
The inspections are focused on companies manufacturing cough syrups, antipyretics, and antibiotics, samples of which were picked up by drug regulatory authorities from regions where fatalities were reported.
The deaths in Chhindwara have taken place over a period of one month. All the children were aged below five years, and renal failure was reportedly caused after taking cough syrups, including Coldrif, prescribed by local doctors at private clinics.
Five children are recuperating at Government Medical College & Hospital in Nagpur.
The deaths, first reported in late August, were largely concentrated in villages in Parasia tehsil of Chhindwara. The children initially showed symptoms of cold and mild fever and were treated with cough syrups and routine medicines.
However, their condition worsened with reduced urine output and acute kidney complications.
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