- R Ranganathan, owner of the Sresa Pharma that manufactured adulterated Coldrif syrup, was arrested in Chennai
- At least 20 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh were linked to Coldrif syrup consumption
- The syrup was found to contain diethylene glycol, a toxic substance, far beyond the permissible limit
The owner of the Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceuticals company that manufactured the adulterated Coldrif cough syrup linked to dozens of children's deaths in several states has been arrested. A case was earlier filed against Sresan Pharmaceuticals. Ranganathan Govindan, owner of the company, was taken into custody by Madhya Pradesh police in Chennai late last night as investigations continue to unlock the truth behind one of India's most horrifying drug scandals.
The state police had been searching for him in connection with at least 20 children's deaths after they consumed the poisonous syrup in the state. Besides Madhya Pradesh, some deaths have also been linked to the syrup in Rajasthan. The children suffered kidney infections after consuming Coldrif.
Ranganathan is charged with adulteration, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and endangering the safety of children, said officials.
A Meticulously Planned Operation
Ranganathan Govindan had been on the run since the cough syrup tragedy. A reward of Rs 20,000 was declared for his arrest yesterday. He was finally picked up from Chennai by the Madhya Pradesh police in a dramatic and meticulously planned midnight operation.
A team comprising police officials and drug inspectors had been in Chennai since October 5, a day after a case was filed against the firm in connection with the deaths. The team tracked Ranganathan's vehicles and monitored his residence before launching an operation to arrest him, according to police sources. Ranganathan was caught around 1:30 am and taken to his company's Kancheepuram factory, where they seized crucial documents.
Exclusive: Coldrif Cough Syrup Contains Salt Banned 2 Years Ago For Children Under 4
Madhya Pradesh police are now seeking a transit remand from a Chennai court to bring Ranganathan to Chhindwara, where a majority of the deaths had occurred.
Police sources suggest that the investigation will now widen to cover the entire supply chain, including chemical suppliers, stockists, and medical representatives, to identify every link in the deadly network that allowed the toxic syrup to reach the unsuspecting parents of the children.
Toxic Substance In Coldrif
Coldrif is a drug prescribed to treat symptoms of cold and cough, including runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and watery eyes, in children. Samples of the syrup were declared adulterated by Tamil Nadu authorities earlier this month after being found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG). DEG is a poisonous substance used in the manufacture of printing ink and glue that could cause severe kidney, liver, and nervous system damage in humans.
An inspection had found unbilled containers of DEG at Sresan's factory in Kancheepuram and that the company was adding 46-48% of DEG to the Coldrif cough syrup against the permitted limit of only 0.1%. After their findings, the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Authority issued a stop-production order and froze all its stocks. The company's license was suspended.
Read: Rust, Filth, Neglect: Factory Made 'Killer' Cough Syrup Despite Violations
Investigations so far have revealed that Sresan Pharmaceuticals was first registered as a private firm in 1990. The company was struck off the Ministry of Corporate Affairs register, yet it continued operating under a proprietary structure, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight.
At least nine states have banned the syrup since the deaths were reported.
India's top drug regulator has also admitted serious lapses in medicine manufacturing practices, with an advisory stating that inspections at several factories revealed that not every batch of raw materials and active ingredients was being tested by the companies.
