Deadly Negligence: 11 Children Die from Toxic Cough Syrup in Madhya Pradesh While Officials Delay Action

Madhya Pradesh has implemented a complete ban on 'Coldrif' syrup throughout the state.

Eleven children have died in Madhya Pradesh, with six more in critical condition - cases their families believe are connected to 'Coldrif' cough syrup. However, not a single autopsy has been performed. NDTV's field investigation has uncovered extensive negligence, denial, and delays permeating the Madhya Pradesh health system, while Tamil Nadu identified the same contaminated medication within 24 hours and immediately prohibited its use.

In the remote areas of Parasia block, bereaved parents are left with one haunting question: If Tamil Nadu could take action overnight, why did Madhya Pradesh wait until 11 children had perished?

None of the 11 children who died after allegedly consuming 'Coldrif' cough syrup underwent postmortem examinations.

Parasia SDM Shubham Yadav alleged that families declined to give consent. However, when NDTV visited these families, this claim quickly unraveled. "Nobody from the administration or hospital ever requested a postmortem," stated Yasin Khan, father of five-year-old Usaid, who died last month.

"We were never informed it was necessary," said Amin Khan, whose son Adnan died at Nagpur Medical College.

Another victim's family shared the same experience: "No official ever approached us to discuss this."

A father whose son died on September 2 confirmed he would not have objected to an autopsy, but no one ever asked.

The consequence: no forensic evidence, no accountability, and no closure for grieving parents.

The first kidney failure case was reported on August 24. Four-year-old Shivam Rathod died on September 2. Over the following two weeks, six more children died from kidney failure, yet officials dismissed these deaths as coincidental. It wasn't until September 29 that Chhindwara authorities banned Coldrif syrup, declaring it "poisonous." However, the test report confirming its toxicity only arrived four days later on October 3, and the statewide ban followed on October 4.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu's Drugs Control Department, upon receiving correspondence from Madhya Pradesh on October 1, launched an investigation that same evening, despite October 1 and 2 being government holidays. By October 3, Tamil Nadu's laboratory confirmed that Coldrif syrup (Batch SR-13) contained 48.6 percent Diethylene Glycol (DEG) - a deadly industrial chemical known to cause kidney failure. Within 48 hours, Tamil Nadu prohibited the syrup, secured all inventory, and shut down the manufacturer, Sresan Pharmaceuticals, located in Kanchipuram.

In Madhya Pradesh, however, such urgency was notably absent.

NDTV discovered that deputy drug controller Shobhit Kosta, responsible for medication safety monitoring, departed for a pilgrimage on October 1. While analysts at the Bhopal laboratory observed Navami and Dussehra holidays, scientists in Tamil Nadu worked through Gandhi Jayanti.

As Tamil Nadu conducted testing, Madhya Pradesh officials were on leave.

After NDTV obtained the Tamil Nadu report confirming 48.6 percent toxic content, the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drugs Administration finally took action, issuing an order on October 4 prohibiting Coldrif syrup and all other Sresan Pharmaceuticals products across the state. The directive, signed by Dinesh Kumar Maurya, Controller of Food and Drugs Administration, stated, "The Drug Coldrif Syrup, Batch SR-13, has been declared Not of Standard Quality and adulterated with Diethylene Glycol (48.6% w/v), a poisonous substance injurious to health."

The order instructed all district drug inspectors to immediately freeze stocks and halt distribution.

Following this revelation, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav issued a statement: "The deaths of children in Chhindwara are extremely tragic. The sale of this syrup and all other products from the company has been banned throughout Madhya Pradesh. The investigation report from Tamil Nadu was received this morning, and strict action has been taken."

NDTV's investigation also revealed that the official death count of nine underrepresents the true toll. At least twelve children have died, including three cases not reported by the administration. Later, the government acknowledged 11 deaths, but one death in Betul remains unrecorded in government statistics.

Each child exhibited identical symptoms: fever, vomiting, and sudden urination cessation - classic signs of Diethylene Glycol poisoning.

While doctors in Nagpur had already identified kidney toxicity in biopsy reports, Chhindwara's health department continued allowing Coldrif syrup sales until September 29. Supplies from a Jabalpur distributor were still reaching other districts.

Praveen Soni, a Chhindwara doctor who prescribed Coldrif syrup to children even after the Nagpur toxicity report, was arrested today. Most affected children received treatment at Praveen Soni's clinic, a pediatrician in Parasia. Medical stores owned by Soni's wife and nephew also continued selling the medication without restriction.

However, the investigation thus far has not implicated those who permitted the deadly medication to remain in circulation - namely the drug controller and local drug inspectors.