MP High Court Denies Bail to Doctor and Wife in Tragic Cough Syrup Death Case
The Madhya Pradesh High Court delivered a significant ruling on Tuesday, firmly rejecting the bail application of Dr Praveen Soni, a pediatrician from Parasia town in Chhindwara district, and his wife Jyoti Soni. The couple stands accused in the deeply distressing Chhindwara cough syrup case, which has been linked to the tragic deaths of approximately 25 children. The bench of Justice Pramod Agarwal dismissed the plea, emphasizing the gravity of the allegations and the profound impact on public sentiment.
Court Cites Commission Motive and Public Outrage
In a strongly worded observation, Justice Agarwal noted that Dr Soni allegedly learned about the adverse reactions children were experiencing from the syrup but continued to prescribe it to more patients. The court suggested this was presumably driven by financial incentives or 'commission'. "If the accused are given bail in such a serious and sensitive matter, public sensibilities would be hurt," Justice Agarwal stated, underscoring the court's commitment to addressing the community's anguish and ensuring justice prevails.
Details of the Chhindwara Cough Syrup Tragedy
The case revolves around Coldrif syrup, which was prescribed by Dr Soni to children presenting with mild cough and fever symptoms in various parts of Chhindwara district. Most of these prescriptions were filled at the pharmacy operated by his wife, Jyoti Soni. Between September and October 2025, after consuming the syrup, the children's conditions deteriorated rapidly, leading to acute kidney failure. Despite urgent transfers to specialized hospitals in Nagpur and other cities for advanced medical care, more than 25 young lives were tragically lost.
Toxic Contamination and Regulatory Failures
Subsequent laboratory analyses revealed a horrifying discovery: the syrup contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic industrial chemical. Shockingly, tests indicated the presence of 46.28% DEG in the syrup, far exceeding the permissible limit of 0.1%. This contaminated batch circulated through the supply chain without adequate checks before the state government eventually imposed a ban. The case has raised serious questions about drug safety protocols and regulatory oversight in the region.
Legal Charges and Medical Guidelines Violations
The state government's counsel informed the court that a formal case has been registered under Section 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Drug & Cosmetic Act. This followed a complaint lodged by Dr Ankit Sehlam, the block medical officer at the Parasia Community Health Centre. Investigations further revealed that Dr Soni had prescribed the syrup to children as young as 3-4 years old, in direct violation of a circular issued by the Director General of Health Services and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, which explicitly prohibits its use for children under four years of age.
Ignored Warnings and Judicial Scrutiny
Adding to the severity of the allegations, it was reported that Dr Soni continued to prescribe the contaminated syrup even after being cautioned by senior doctor Dr Praveen Khapekar. This disregard for professional advice and patient safety played a crucial role in the court's deliberations. After thoroughly hearing arguments from both the defense and the prosecution, the bench concluded that the evidence and circumstances warranted the rejection of the bail application for both Dr Soni and his wife, reinforcing the judiciary's stance on accountability in matters of public health and safety.
