Cough syrup death toll rises to 17 in Madhya Pradesh

The death toll of children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara owing to consumption of an adulterated cough syrup, has risen to 17, with three more children dying in the last two days, a government official said on Tuesday (October 7, 2025). 

Chhindwara Additional Collector Dhirendra Singh told The Hindu that of the total seven children from the district admitted in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, one child died on Monday (October 6) night while two breathed their last on Tuesday.

Four children from Chhindwara and five from Betul district are still under treatment in Nagpur, including at the Government Medical College, the AIIMS, and various private hospitals. 

“Of the three children, two are girls. They hail from Tamia, Junnardeo, and Parasia areas of Chhindwara. They had consumed the same syrup and were suffering from the same problem of kidney failure,” he said. 

After suffering from fever and cold, the children had consumed ‘Coldrif’ syrup, resulting in vomiting and problems in urinating. The first death was reported on September 2. The syrup was manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram. 

Earlier this month, drug control authorities of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh found the syrup to be adulterated with over 45 per cent diethylene glycol, a chemical causing serious health problems, prompting the two States to ban the sale of the syrup. 

The Madhya Pradesh Police also arrested Praveen Soni, a government paediatrician in Chhindwara’s Parasia, for prescribing the medicine to many of the children [who died later], while also booking the manufacturer and forming a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case. 

State to fund treatment

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the State government will bear the cost of treatment of all the nine children currently admitted in Nagpur. 

“The Collectors of Chhindwara and Betul are maintaining constant contact with the children’s families and providing necessary assistance. The Chief Minister has directed that the entire amount for treatment of the nine children be made available to the affected families,” a government statement said.

“On the Chief Minister’s instructions, the Chhindwara Collector has formed three teams to assist the children undergoing treatment in Nagpur,” it added. 

Doctors’ demonstration

In the wake of the paediatrician’s arrest, several doctors staged a demonstration in Parasia and launched an indefinite strike, with the district unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanding Dr. Soni’s immediate release. 

A delegation of doctors also submitted a memorandum to the Chhindwara Additional Collector.  “They are demanding his release but the administration has not given them any assurance. The action has been taken by the police based on facts. If they have any issues with it, they can approach the courts,” he said. 

Speaking to The Hindu, Dr. Ankur Batra, a general surgeon and IMA Parasia unit secretary, claimed said the charges against Dr. Soni are false and that the government hadn’t “acted against those actually responsible for the tragedy”.

“He is not a criminal but a very senior doctor. He should not be treated this way. Action should be taken against the drug manufacturers and those who approved it for use. He only prescribed it,” Dr. Batra said.

“We demand that he is released immediately and the investigation can continue as usual. It will be an indefinite strike until he is released,” he added.

He said that members from the dental association, pharma association and other local bodies also joined them in the protest. A silent rally is scheduled to be held on Wednesday (October 8).