In a major breakthrough in the toxic cough syrup case that claimed the lives of 20 children, G. Ranganathan (73), owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Sunguvarchatram, Kanchipuram, has been arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Police with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu Police.
The arrest follows the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, reportedly caused by consuming the cough syrup ‘Coldrip’, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals.
Investigations revealed that children who took the syrup for common colds and fever later developed acute kidney failure. Post-mortem tests found diethylene glycol, a highly toxic industrial solvent, in their kidneys — confirming poisoning as the cause of death.
The Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of ‘Coldrip’, revoked the company’s production license, and ordered seizure and destruction of all remaining stocks. The Drug Control Department has also issued a show-cause notice to the manufacturer.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Madhya Pradesh inspected the factory premises last week, accompanied by Drug Control officials and local police, before taking G. Ranganathan into custody for interrogation.
Subsequent laboratory tests confirmed that ‘Coldrip’ syrup samples were adulterated, prompting the government to initiate permanent closure proceedings against the facility.
Investigators discovered that the 2,000 sq. ft. factory was operating with outdated and corroded machinery, poor maintenance, and long-standing safety lapses — conditions that likely contributed to the contamination.
Authorities have intensified the probe to trace the distribution network of the adulterated medicine and hold all those responsible for the tragedy accountable.
