3 more children succumb due to cough syrup, toll rises to 19 in Madhya Pradesh

The death toll in the cough syrup tragedy in Madhya Pradesh has climbed to 19, with three more children succumbing in Chhindwara district on Tuesday.

According to the district administration, 17 children died in Chhindwara, while two deaths are from the neighbouring Betul district. The latest victims have been identified as Dhani Deheria, Jayusha Yaduvanshi, and Vedansh Pawar — all three between the ages of 2 and 3.

The deaths are linked to the consumption of Coldrif, a cough syrup whose samples were found to contain toxic substances. The cough syrup tested positive for Diethylene Glycol (DEG), an industrial toxic chemical known to cause kidney failure.

Family members of the victims claimed the children’s health worsened after taking the syrup prescribed by local doctors, leading to kidney



failure.

At least six other children from Chhindwara are being treated in different hospitals in Nagpur, and the condition of five remains critical, as per a report by news agency PTI.

The state government has suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and transferred the state’s drug controller as part of its probe.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the deaths, while Chhindwara-based Dr Praveen Soni has been arrested for alleged negligence. A case has also been registered against the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association chief defended arrested paediatrician, blaming pharma company and government lapses in cough syrup tragedy.