A major health tragedy has struck Madhya Pradesh as 20 children lost their lives and five remain in critical condition after allegedly consuming contaminated Coldrif cough syrup. According to officials, the deaths were caused by severe kidney infections linked to the toxic effects of the syrup.
State Health Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla confirmed the figures, stating that 17 children were from Chhindwara, two from Betul, and one from Pandhurna. Two children died on Tuesday and another on Monday.
The surviving five children are undergoing treatment in Nagpur, Maharashtra — two at AIIMS, two in a government hospital, and one in a private facility. “Doctors are making every possible effort to save their lives,” said Shukla after visiting their families.
The Coldrif cough syrup suspected of causing the deaths was produced by a Kancheepuram-based pharmaceutical company in Tamil Nadu. A police team from Chhindwara has been dispatched to arrest the company’s owner.
In response to the tragedy, the Madhya Pradesh government suspended two drug inspectors, a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration, and transferred the state drug controller. Moreover, Dr. Praveen Soni from Chhindwara was arrested for alleged negligence.
The state police have also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the deaths and have filed a case against the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer of the Coldrif cough syrup.
Minister Shukla assured the public that the government is taking “the strictest possible action” against those responsible. The tragic incident has prompted renewed demands for tighter pharmaceutical quality control and stronger state-level drug surveillance.
