Forensic Reports Confirm Toxic Chemical in Cough Syrup Caused Child Deaths in Madhya Pradesh
Forensic reports have definitively confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic industrial solvent known to cause acute kidney failure, in the viscera samples of children who died after consuming Coldrif cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh in October 2025. This finding effectively shuts the door on any other explanation or alternative medical causes for the tragic loss of lives, according to an official involved in the investigation.
Shockingly High Contamination Levels Found
In the Coldrif samples seized from Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the cough syrup, as well as from leftover bottles collected from the homes of the victims in Madhya Pradesh following the deaths, nearly 48% of the content was found to be DEG. Laboratory analysis of the seized samples from batch SR-13, which was supplied to Chhindwara district, revealed these shockingly high levels of contamination.
A months-long toxicological examination conducted at state Forensic Science Laboratories has now established a direct and undeniable link between this contaminated batch and the fatalities. The official stated, "This is the most important finding of the investigations so far. The presence of DEG and its metabolites in the viscera of the kids whose postmortem examination was done is crucial."
Tragedy Unfolded Over Several Months
The heartbreaking tragedy unfolded between August and October last year when children under treatment for routine symptoms like fever and cough were prescribed Coldrif syrup at a government health facility in Chhindwara district. Within days, several of them developed acute kidney failure and other severe complications, leading to referrals to Nagpur for advanced medical treatment.
As many as 25 children, mostly from Chhindwara and Betul districts, lost their lives. The latest death was reported earlier this month when Harsh Yaduvanshi, who had slipped into a coma on September 26 last year, succumbed at AIIMS-Nagpur just days after turning four years old.
Investigation Findings and Legal Proceedings
The forensic findings will form the backbone of a supplementary chargesheet expected to be filed soon against the 11 accused arrested so far. Police traced the contaminated batch SR-13 to Sresan Pharma's manufacturing unit, where investigations revealed that industrial-grade DEG was used in place of a pharmaceutical-grade solvent.
Among those arrested and currently lodged in jail are Sresan Pharma owner G. Ranganathan, a company employee, supplier Shailesh Pandiya, and Chhindwara doctor Praveen Soni, who prescribed the medicine. The official added, "We are now awaiting the opinions of subject experts. All this evidence and the opinions will be produced before the court in the supplementary chargesheet soon."
Authorities received the forensic report a few days ago and consulted experts on both this report and the postmortem findings. They concluded that DEG is the definitive cause of the deaths, leaving no room for doubt. "There could be multiple reasons for kidney failure, but now the presence of the same dangerous chemical that was found in the samples taken from the factory as well as leftover bottles, and in the bodies of the children who died, confirms the link," the official emphasized.
