Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath launched a scathing attack on Friday, October 3, 2025, blaming the Madhya Pradesh government for the tragic deaths of children in Chhindwara district. These deaths, occurring since September 7, are suspected to be caused by a kidney ailment linked to toxic cough syrups allegedly containing a “brake oil solvent.”
Nath emphasized that these fatalities are a stark indicator of a complete collapse in both law and order and the administrative framework within the state.
The tragic count has now risen to nine, following the deaths of two more children in Nagpur, neighboring Maharashtra, on Thursday, October 2. Officials confirmed that 13 children, eight from Chhindwara and five from Nagpur, are currently receiving treatment, with three of those in Nagpur undergoing dialysis.
In a post on X, Mr. Nath, 78, expressed his shock: “Seven children have so far died in Chhindwara after consuming a toxic cough syrup. Disturbing information suggests that children’s lives are being jeopardized across Chhindwara and the entire state of Madhya Pradesh. It is truly alarming to discover that brake oil solvent, a highly poisonous substance, was intentionally mixed into these cough syrups.”
He further criticized the government, stating, “Such flagrant adulteration in medicines intended for children went unnoticed for far too long, highlighting a complete failure of the state’s law enforcement and administrative machinery.” Nath recalled that his previous government, from December 2018 to March 2020, had implemented a ‘Shuddh Ke Liye Yuddh’ (War for Purity) campaign specifically targeting medicine and food adulteration.
Officials identified the deceased children, mainly from the Tamia and Koylanchal areas (approximately 55 km from the district headquarters), as Shivam (9), Vidhi (6), Adnan (6), Usaid (9), Rishika (10), Hetansh (11), Vikas (9), Chanchlesh (8), and Sandhya Bhosom (7).
Acting Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Naresh Gunnade reported that the first suspected case emerged on August 24, with the initial death recorded on September 7. The common early symptoms observed were high fever and difficulties with urination.
During a press conference on Friday, Parasia Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Saurabh Kumar Yadav announced that out of 4,658 children screened over the past month, 4,411 were found to be healthy. He added that testing is ongoing for children being discharged, with more results pending. The health department has swiftly banned the sale of specific combination syrups and issued alerts to all medical stores and pharmacists.
Chhindwara Collector Harendra Narayan confirmed that two questionable syrups have been officially banned, and samples from these, along with those collected from the victims’ homes, have been sent for laboratory analysis.
Former Chhindwara Collector Sheelendra Singh, now Additional Secretary in the Urban Development and Housing department, mentioned that government medical professionals have been instructed to be vigilant and provide optimal care for children exhibiting similar symptoms. He further assured that critically ill patients would be transferred to AIIMS Nagpur, with the option of utilizing Madhya Pradesh’s ‘PM Shri Air Ambulance Service’ if necessary.
Dr. Deepak Patel, a pediatrician from the district hospital, stated that a team from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in New Delhi had visited the affected regions to conduct surveys and collect samples. Additionally, a state health department team dispatched water samples from the area to a Pune laboratory for comprehensive testing.