Cough syrup deaths: Congress demands judicial probe, says 'parchi' CMs are busy touring Delhi

NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday demanded a judicial probe into the deaths of children caused by cough syrup in Rajasthan and MP, alleging the two BJP-governed states have brushed the issue under the carpet despite evidence that they have been sourcing medicines from “blacklisted” firms. It also alleged that the kin of victims have been pressured against naming anyone, or telling outside that they bought the fatal syrups from govt hospitals.

Leaders of opposition in Rajasthan and MP — Tika Ram Jully and Umang Singhar — told reporters that cough syrup smuggling is rivalling alcohol in MP, with large quantities of bottles confiscated in different districts in recent years, which raises questions about the quality of medicines being given to children.

Singhar said the highly toxic chemical diethylene glycol (DEG), which is known to cause kidney damage among kids, was found in the cough syrup in Rajasthan and MP, just like it was found in the syrups linked to deaths in J&K (12 deaths), Gambia (70) and Uzbekistan (20). He said the govt during the deaths outside India got away by saying that they were made for export but now these bottles have evidently struck in the country.

Accusing the state govts of suppressing the issue in the face of demands for a thorough probe, Singhar said the MP CM (Mohan Yadav) is not able to take decisions because he was appointed by “parchi” (a slip from the leadership) and is mostly on tour to the national capital.

Jully dittoed the charge against Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma, saying he is the original “parchi CM” and flies to Delhi more than he tours Rajasthan. Jully said the victims’ families that were marching to meet the CM to seek a probe were lathicharged away last week.

The duo alleged massive kickbacks in the supply of medicines in the states, asking, “What could be the other motivation behind allowing a blacklisted company to supply the medicines that proved fatal for children.”