#sresanpharma

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday carried out searches at seven locations in Chennai connected to Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup, which has been linked to the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh. The action is part of an ongoing money laundering investigation.

The ED raids target Sresan Pharma premises, residences of top officials, and employees suspected of involvement in the production and distribution of the toxic syrup. Officials said the searches also include officers from the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department, including the director in charge, who was allegedly caught accepting bribes.

At least 22 children in Parasia town, Chhindwara, fell critically ill after consuming Coldrif, which was later found to contain lethal levels of diethylene glycol. The syrup has since been banned in several states.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed by the Madhya Pradesh Police, accusing Sresan Pharma of producing adulterated cough syrup directly responsible for the deaths. Following investigations, the Tamil Nadu government suspended two drug control officers for failing to conduct inspections over the past two years.

“Both FIRs involve scheduled offences. The profits earned from selling the adulterated syrup, which led to the deaths of 21 children, are considered proceeds of crime. Drug officers who neglected inspections failed in their public duty,” an official source said.

Sresan Pharmaceuticals owner G. Ranganathan was arrested last week at his Kodambakkam apartment in Chennai by a seven-member Madhya Pradesh Police team. He was produced in a Chhindwara court and remanded to 10 days’ police custody.

“Ranganathan claims he had been manufacturing Coldrif for years without any prior issues,” a source added.