PIL in Supreme Court Seeks CBI Probe into Children’s Deaths Linked to Toxic Cough Syrup

New Delhi, October 7: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly caused by toxic cough syrup.

The petition, filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, has requested that a retired Supreme Court judge monitor the investigation and oversee a comprehensive inquiry into the manufacture, testing, and distribution of the contaminated cough syrups.

It has also urged the constitution of a National Judicial Commission or an Expert Committee — headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and comprising experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and drug regulation — to examine regulatory failures and recommend reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.

The PIL further sought the transfer of all FIRs and investigations related to child deaths from poisonous cough syrups across various states to the CBI, under the supervision of a retired apex court judge, to ensure a fair and coordinated probe.

The plea stated that fragmented state-level inquiries had led to a lack of accountability, allowing substandard medicines to circulate repeatedly.

According to reports, several children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died after consuming Coldrif Cough Syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharma Pvt. Ltd., a Tamil Nadu-based company.

The petition urged the immediate recall and seizure of all batches of Coldrif Cough Syrup and any other products from the manufacturer, pending toxicological clearance by accredited laboratories.

It also called on the Centre to conduct mandatory nationwide testing of all syrup-based pharmaceutical formulations for Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG) — toxic chemicals linked to kidney injuries — and to make the results public.

Lastly, the PIL sought strict action against pharmaceutical companies found guilty, including suspension of licenses and criminal prosecution of those responsible for the loss of lives.