In early October 2025, a major public health crisis unfolded in Madhya Pradesh, India, centered around the contaminated Coldrif cough syrup, which led to the deaths of at least 11 children (with some reports citing up to 14 in Madhya Pradesh alone, and a total of 18 across states including Rajasthan). The scandal highlighted systemic issues in drug quality control, private medical practice by government doctors, and regulatory oversight. At the heart of the controversy is Dr. Praveen Soni, a government paediatrician whose suspension and arrest have drawn widespread scrutiny.

Background on the Incident

• Timeline: The deaths occurred between September 4 and October 3, 2025. Children under five years old, initially presenting with mild cold and fever symptoms, were prescribed Coldrif syrup. They soon developed severe high fever, difficulty urinating, and acute kidney failure, leading to fatalities. Ten of the victims died at Nagpur’s Government Medical College and Hospital in Maharashtra, while six others remain hospitalized with kidney complications.
• Location: The cases were primarily linked to Parasia town in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, a coal-belt area.
• Affected Product: Coldrif syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals (also spelled Srisan in some reports), a company based in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. Laboratory tests by the Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai confirmed the syrup contained high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG)—a toxic industrial solvent used in antifreeze and brake fluids—far exceeding safe limits (up to 48.6% in some samples, against a 1% threshold). DEG causes irreversible kidney damage, especially in children.

Dr. Praveen Soni’s Role and Suspension

Dr. Praveen Soni, a government-employed paediatrician at Civil Hospital in Parasia, Chhindwara, was the primary doctor who prescribed the contaminated Coldrif syrup to most of the affected children during visits to his private clinic. This violated regulations prohibiting government doctors from engaging in private practice.

• Suspension Details:
• Date: Issued on October 5, 2025, hours after his arrest on October 4 night.
• Authority: Ordered by Health Commissioner Tarun Rathi, under directives from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
• Reasons Cited: The suspension order explicitly stated that Dr. Soni “caused irreparable harm, tarnished the image of the department, and proved incapable of fulfilling his official duties.” It highlighted his private practice, negligent prescription of the toxic syrup, and failure to monitor patient outcomes, which “adversely affected the kidneys of the infants, leading to their deaths.” Officials noted that “lives could have been saved” with proper vigilance.
• Immediate Actions: He was attached to the Jabalpur regional health office pending inquiry and barred from all duties.
• Arrest and Legal Actions:
• Arrested late on October 4, 2025, by a special police team from Kotwali police station in Chhindwara.
• An FIR was filed at Parasia police station against Dr. Soni, Sresan Pharmaceuticals’ directors, and “other responsible persons” under Sections 276 and 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide and endangering life, plus Section 27A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for manufacturing/selling adulterated drugs.
• The complaint, lodged by Block Medical Officer Dr. Ankit Sahlam, referenced medical records and a kidney biopsy from one victim (four-year-old Vikas Yaduvanshi) confirming acute tubular injury.

Dr. Soni was described as one of Parasia’s busiest paediatricians, but his dual role in government service and private practice came under fire as a key factor in the unchecked prescriptions.

Broader Response and Impact

• Government Measures:
• Ban: Madhya Pradesh banned sales of Coldrif and, as a precaution, Nextro-DS (another syrup under investigation). Tamil Nadu and Kerala followed with statewide bans; Uttarakhand ordered strict enforcement against similar products.
• Compensation: Chief Minister Yadav announced ₹4 lakh per deceased child’s family, plus full treatment coverage for survivors.
• Investigations: Drug inspectors seized stocks from Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The Union Health Ministry initiated risk-based inspections of drug firms and plans a national video conference on cough syrup safety. Supplies to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Puducherry are under scrutiny.
• Public and Political Outcry: Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath demanded ₹50 lakh compensation per family and criticized the government for lax oversight. The incident echoes past scandals like the 2022 Gambia cough syrup deaths, raising alarms about DEG contamination in Indian pharmaceuticals.

The case remains under active investigation, with potential for stricter national regulations on paediatric drugs and doctor accountability. For the latest updates, monitoring official health ministry announcements is recommended.