Coldrif syrup deaths: Madhya Pradesh court remands Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan to 10-day police custody
Sresan Pharma owner, S. Ranganathan, is escorted by Police to a local court after one of their medicines, Coldrif cough syrup, was linked to the death of multiple children in Parasia, Madhya Pradesh, India, October, 10, 2025. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh
A Madhya Pradesh court remanded S. Ranganathan, owner of Tamil Nadu-based Srisan Pharma, which manufactured toxic Coldrif cough syrups, to 10 days of police custody on Friday. A team of Madhya Pradesh police personnel arrested Ranganathan from Chennai on Thursday.
Madhya Pradesh police produced Ranganathan at Parasia court in Chhindwara in connection with the probe into the deaths of children linked to the consumption of contaminated Coldrif cough syrup. Hearing the case, the court remanded the pharma owner to police custody.
Ratan Singh Dhurve, Madhya Pradesh Assistant District Prosecution Officer, told ANI, "In view of the further investigation that needs to be done, the Court has remanded Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan to 10-day Police custody."
According to police, Ranganathan was on the run since October 7, and a Madhya Pradesh police team arrested him from Chennai on Thursday. At least 20 children died in Chhindwara and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh, allegedly after consuming Coldrif, prompting several state governments to ban its sale and distribution.
The tragic deaths have led to a national health alert, leading to nationwide stock confiscations, and immediate changes to drug prescription guidelines.
The cough syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, allegedly contained diethylene glycol, a poisonous substance. The Tamil Nadu government has cancelled the drug manufacturing license of the pharma company. Further probe is underway.
India