In the recent past, officials had noted that several children aged under five started dying from unexplained health complications. As per Indian Express, the first death was reported on September 2 when Sivam (4) died; Vidhih (3) died on September 3; on September 5, followed by Adnan (5) on September 7; Usain (4) on September 13; Rishika (5) on September (date missing); and Shreya (2) on September 16. On September 18, after a girl named Harshita died, a Nagpur district administration gave a message stating that the children were dying of kidney failure. The case gained further prominence as Vikas (5) died the same day.
It was on Saturday that the Madhya Pradesh government ordered the immediate stoppage of sales and distribution of a cough syrup after it was alleged to be found containing a substance linked to child deaths in the state of Chhindwara. The deaths in Madhya Pradesh were found to be similar to the deaths that have been reported in Rajasthan, where children died allegedly after consuming cough syrup containing dextromethorphan. Beyond that, the government has also banned the sale of 19 types of medicines supplied by Kaysons Pharma, the company at the center of the controversy, until further notice.
In a recent update, the Madhya Pradesh drugs department raided an AYUSH firm in Chhindwara after 10 children died from a cold relief cough syrup.
#WATCH | Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh: The Drugs Department raided an Ayush firm in Chhindwara after 10 children died from Coldrif Cough syrup. pic.twitter.com/VRupAGtxUr
---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
To further find out and get solid proof as to what caused the children’s deaths, the body of a two-year-old girl from Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, was exhumed for a postmortem after her family gave their consent.
#WATCH | Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh: After her family gave their consent, the body of a two-year-old girl was exhumed for a postmortem, amid deaths of children after consuming cough syrup. pic.twitter.com/Qz8BSvWHjx
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
Earlier today, police also registered a case against Dr Pradeep Soni, the doctor who prescribed the medicine.
Superintendent of Police, Ajay Pandey on Sunday said that additionally, the manufacturing company Sresan Pharmaceuticals of Tamil Nadu had also been booked as a prime accused in the case.
“On the basis of the BMO report, a case was filed under the 105 BNS, 276 BNS, and 27 (A) Drug and Cosmetic Act. Dr Praveen Soni treated the maximum number of children in this matter. He had prescribed Coldrif… Based on this, he has been named an accused in this case. The manufacturing company, Sresan Pharmaceuticals of Tamil Nadu, has also been named a prime accused in this case… The doctor is in Police custody…” the police official Pandey told reporters here.
The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a complete ban on the sale of the cough Syrup across the state after children’s deaths due to kidney failure. In the past 30 days, 11 children have lost their lives in Chhindwara district due to kidney failure.
The Rajasthan government has taken swift action, suspending the state drug controller and halting the distribution of all medicines manufactured by Kaysons Pharma. An expert committee is being formed to investigate the issue, and warning labels will be added to potentially harmful drugs.
The Union Health Ministry has issued a nationwide advisory on the rational use of cough syrups in children, highlighting the risks associated with their use. With Inputs From ANI
