Deadly Cough Syrup Scandal: Pharmaceutical Owner Arrested in Madhya Pradesh Child Deaths Case

Bhopal:

The owner of the pharmaceutical company, identified as the main suspect in the cough syrup tragedy that has claimed over a dozen children's lives in Madhya Pradesh, was apprehended by state police following a dramatic midnight operation. Ranganathan Govindan is the proprietor of Sresan Pharma, the manufacturer of Coldrif syrup. At least 20 children died in Chhindwara after consuming the cough syrup, which was discovered to contain a highly poisonous substance exceeding permissible limits.

Ranganathan and his wife had been evading authorities since the tragedy came to light. He was captured in Chennai around 1:30 am on Thursday.

Based on specific intelligence, a specialized police team from Madhya Pradesh, headed by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Parasia, arrived in Chennai on October 5, just one day after an FIR was filed against the pharmaceutical company. The team included female officers, cyber experts, and drug inspectors to address technical aspects of the investigation.

Exclusive: Coldrif Cough Syrup Contains Salt Banned 2 Years Ago For Children Under 4

Following his arrest, Ranganathan was escorted to Sresan Pharma's Kancheepuram factory, where important documents were confiscated. The police are now requesting a transit remand from a Chennai court to transport Ranganathan to Chhindwara for questioning.

According to police sources, the operation to apprehend Ranganathan was carefully orchestrated. Investigators tracked his vehicles, monitored his residence, and analyzed his bank transactions to piece together his movements. Their efforts resulted in a rapid arrest that could finally reveal the truth behind one of India's most shocking drug scandals.

A day prior, Chhindwara police had offered a Rs 20,000 reward for information leading to Ranganathan's capture.

Read: Rust, Filth, Neglect: Factory Made 'Killer' Cough Syrup Despite Violations

Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Chennai-based manufacturer of the 'Coldrif' cough syrup, has been under investigation after the syrup was connected to the deaths of 20 children and severe illness in numerous others.

Investigations have thus far revealed that the company was registered as a private limited firm in 1990 but was removed from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs register. Nevertheless, it continued operating under a proprietary structure, raising significant questions about regulatory oversight.

The company, which claimed to "trade" in syrups, tonics, and herbal formulations, now faces accusations of severe negligence and violation of drug manufacturing standards.

Police sources indicated that following Ranganathan's arrest, the investigation will expand to encompass 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 children.