
The raids, done under the strict Prevention of plutocrat Laundering Act( PMLA), followed the woeful deaths of at least 22 children, utmost from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, after they ingested Coldrif cough saccharinity, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu. Medical tests revealed the saccharinity contained diethylene glycol, a deadly chemical that leads to acute order failure and death, especially among youthful children. numerous victims were under the age of five; the speed and inflexibility of their symptoms shocked indeed seasoned medical professionals.
The Crackdown: What ED Discovered
On Monday morning, ED teams fanned out to seven locations across Chennai—including the homes of senior drug control department officials who had been suspended, and Sresan Pharma’s offices and factory sites. Investigators are poring over financial records, manufacturing documents, and digital devices, hunting for evidence of money laundering and possible collusion between Pharma executives and regulators. The arrest of S. Ranganathan, Sresan Pharma’s owner, has already taken place, and he faces questioning by both police and ED.
A System Under Scrutiny
This disaster has raised serious questions about India’s drug oversight mechanism. Sresan Pharma, licensed in 2011, allegedly produced medicines for years with subpar facilities, flouting several safety regulations while still passing under the regulatory radar. The ongoing ED investigation shines a spotlight on possible regulatory corruption and gaping holes in drug quality enforcement across regional and national agencies.
Widespread Bans and Precautionary Crackdown
States including Punjab, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan have issued bans on Coldrif, and others are laboriously advising families to avoid cough bathos altogether for youthful children. Health authorities in affected sections have begun door- to- door checks to seize any remaining stock and help further tragedy. Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association( IMA) is prompting caution, noting that some croakers
are now facing disquisition for defining or distributing the product.
What Comes Next?
Public anger remains intense, with people demanding not just criminal prosecution for Sresan Pharma but also lasting changes in licensing, regular inspections, and accountability for officials meant to protect public health. Sresan Pharma’s factory is closed while they investigate things & check if rules were broken. The investigators still look for money stuff that may show a bigger plot.
The government now faces a watershed moment: ensure justice for victims, and overhaul India’s pharmaceutical safety system before another tragedy strikes.
Citation
[1] Cough syrup deaths: ED raids Chennai locations over … https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cough-syrup-deaths-ed-raids-chennai-locations-over-money-laundering-probe-101760326754623.html
[2] Coldriff cough syrup deaths: ED raids 7 Locations in Chennai … https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/coldriff-cough-syrup-deaths-ed-raids-7-locations-in-chennai-linked-to-sreesan-pharma-drug-control-officials/4008540/
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