A Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Madhya Pradesh has initiated a thorough probe into a Chennai-based pharmaceutical company following the tragic deaths of several children. The seven-member team, spearheaded by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, conducted an intensive inspection at the drug manufacturer’s factory located near Chennai on October 8, 2025.
Sources indicate that the SIT later extended its investigation to the company’s registered office within the city, meticulously collecting crucial details as part of their comprehensive inquiry.
“We arrived last night and are diligently carrying out our investigation,” an SIT official disclosed. “The owner of the drug company had reportedly vacated the premises three days prior. We are currently analyzing CCTV footage from the registered office to gather more information.”
Officials from the Ashok Nagar Police station in Chennai confirmed that they are actively assisting the Madhya Pradesh SIT. They added that the factory has now been officially sealed as part of the ongoing probe. “This address was provided by the company as its registered office. It appears the owners and other key personnel departed from the location three days ago,” a local police official stated.
The SIT was originally constituted by the Madhya Pradesh police on October 5, 2025, to investigate the alarming deaths of children in Chhindwara district. These fatalities are strongly suspected to be linked to renal failure caused by the consumption of a “toxic” cough syrup.
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla revealed on October 7, 2025, that a heartbreaking total of 20 children from the state have succumbed to kidney failure after ingesting the contaminated medication.
The pharmaceutical company, based in Chennai, is known to have distributed its ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup not only in Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan but also to several other regions, according to insider sources.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration department had already taken action on October 4, 2025, declaring that samples of the cough syrups obtained from the manufacturing facility in Sunguvarchatram, Kancheepuram, were found to be “adulterated.” Consequently, the company received an immediate directive to cease all production.
In a decisive move, the Tamil Nadu Government officially banned the ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup, effective October 1, 2025, and ordered the swift removal of all existing stock from the market.