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The body of a two-year-old girl was exhumed from the cremation ground for a post-mortem study after at least 14 deaths linked to the Coldrif cough syrup in MP’s Chhindwara.
At least 18 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have been linked to the Coldrif cough syrup. (Photo: X/PTI)
The deaths of at least 14 children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara have been linked to the Coldrif cough syrup, which has now been banned in several states. Amid the ongoing probe, the body of a two-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara has been exhumed for the first postmortem report.
In a first step, the body of a two-year-old girl was exhumed from the cremation ground for a post-mortem study after a series of child deaths linked to the Coldrif cough syrup. This came after News18 highlighted the importance of carrying out postmortems of deceased children to gather evidence against the accused.
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The cough syrup has been banned in several states, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, after lab inspections and tests revealed traces of diethylene glycol (DEG), a deadly chemical that can cause kidney failure and death, that is now being linked to the deaths of 18 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The sale was prohibited across the state with effect from October 1, as inspections were conducted at the Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharma’s manufacturing facility in Sunguvarchathram. The Union Health Ministry on Friday issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories, directing that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed to children under the age of 2 years.
Health Ministry To Hold Urgent Meeting
The Health Ministry is also set to hold an urgent meeting at 4.00 pm on Sunday to address the critical issue of contaminated cough syrups following the death of multiple children in Madhya Pradesh.
The meeting, which will include Principal Secretaries, Health Secretaries, and Drug Controllers from all States and Union Territories (UTs), will be chaired by the Health Secretary and will have two focus points, the rational use of cough syrups and the quality of drugs.
In the aftermath of the deaths, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has banned the sale of the cough syrup and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased children.
Earlier, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath said the Madhya Pradesh government must give Rs 50 lakh each as financial assistance to families in Chhindwara that lost a child due to kidney failure after consuming adulterated cough syrup.
As the authorities swung into action, a doctor in Chhindwara was arrested on Sunday for illegally prescribing the medication. Most of the deceased children were treated at the private clinic of paediatrician Dr Praveen Soni in Parasia.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
Chhindwara, India, India
October 05, 2025, 14:48 IST
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