10 children dead after consuming cough syrup, doctor and pharma firm under arrest

The shocking deaths of 10 children in Chhindwara’s Parasia have been linked to the toxic cough syrup Coldrif. Police have arrested Dr. Praveen Soni and launched a criminal probe against Srisan Pharmaceuticals.

A heartbreaking medical tragedy has shaken Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, where ten children lost their lives after consuming Coldrif cough syrup, allegedly distributed illegally. The incident, which occurred in Parasia, has triggered outrage and a full-fledged police investigation.

Authorities have arrested Dr. Praveen Soni for his alleged involvement in the distribution of the contaminated syrup. Srisan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer, is also under investigation. Police have booked Dr. Soni under IPC Sections 276 and 105, along with Section 27A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, charges that could lead to severe penalties.

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Preliminary medical findings revealed that the deaths were not caused by encephalitis (AES) but by acute kidney failure, likely due to toxic substances in the syrup. All victims were below five years old. Several other children are now being treated in Nagpur hospitals, many on dialysis and ventilator support, fighting for their lives.

The National Institute of Virology (NIV-Pune) and other national investigative agencies conducted extensive testing of local water and environmental samples. Their findings ruled out infection from pathogens or rodents, confirming that Coldrif syrup consumption was the only common factor among the victims.

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As investigations deepen, officials have vowed strict legal action against all those responsible for the tragedy.