On Friday, October 10, 2025, the Supreme Court quickly dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) requesting an independent investigation by a judicial commission or an expert committee into the tragic deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly caused by contaminated cough syrup.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran rejected the petition, notably questioning advocate-petitioner Vishal Tiwari about his history of filing such public interest litigations.
Tiwari’s main argument was for a centralized probe, emphasizing that Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, home to the now-banned Coldrif syrup manufacturer, were engaged in a blame game. He argued that this inter-state dispute was wasting crucial time, preventing substantial investigative action by either state.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, present for a different matter, interjected, stating that while he didn’t represent the states, “we must trust the States” to handle the situation. Mehta assured the court that Tamil Nadu would take appropriate action. He also expressed skepticism about petitioners like Tiwari, suggesting they often approach the judiciary based solely on newspaper reports, lacking substantial background material or evidence.
Advocate Tiwari’s petition had also called for the transfer of all First Information Reports (FIRs) related to the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Furthermore, it demanded a thorough investigation into the production, regulation, testing, and distribution practices of contaminated cough syrups. These syrups were found to contain Diethylene Glycol, a hazardous industrial solvent, and the petition sought recommendations to ensure the safe manufacturing of such medicines in the future.
The plea specifically requested the Supreme Court to immediately seize all existing stock of the now-banned Coldrif syrup and prohibit its sale or distribution. It also mandated that the seized stock undergo rigorous testing for toxic contaminants and be verified by accredited NABL laboratories.
Authorities have arrested a government doctor accused of prescribing Coldrif, the syrup implicated in the children’s deaths in Madhya Pradesh. Police have initiated legal proceedings against both the doctor and Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer.
The Madhya Pradesh Police had already established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve into the matter. Concurrently, the state government suspended Dr. Praveen Soni, a pediatrician at the Civil Hospital in Chhindwara district’s Parasia sub-division, for allegedly prescribing the adulterated Coldrif syrup to many of the deceased children through his private practice.
An FIR has been lodged against Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Kancheepuram (Tamil Nadu) based manufacturer of Coldrif. The charges include violations under Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 27A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.