Indian authorities probe supply chain in cough syrup poisoning that killed 23 children

Indian investigators are examining the entire supply chain of a contaminated cough syrup that killed 23 children, as authorities confirmed the manufacturer used banned industrial-grade chemicals in production.

The Madhya Pradesh Special Investigation Team confirmed that Ranganathan Govindan, owner of Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals, procured prohibited industrial-grade diethylene glycol (DEG) for manufacturing Coldrif syrup. The incident claimed 20 lives in Chhindwara district and three in other regions.

Regulatory response and manufacturing failures

The Drugs Controller General of India responded on Friday by mandating testing for DEG and ethylene glycol in both raw materials and finished pharmaceutical products. Previously, testing requirements applied only to raw materials, creating a regulatory gap that allowed toxic solvents to enter the manufacturing process.

Laboratory tests confirmed 48.6 per cent DEG content in the syrup. Tamil Nadu authorities have sealed Sresan Pharmaceuticals' manufacturing facility in Sunguvarchatram, Kanchipuram district.

Investigation expands beyond factory owner

Mr Govindan initially claimed ignorance about the contamination, stating he had delegated production responsibilities to subordinates. However, following interrogation, he identified the quality control officer responsible, according to senior officials involved in the probe.

"This does not absolve Ranganathan of responsibility — he was the signatory authority and owner of the unit," said a senior officer with knowledge of the investigation.

The 12-member SIT, led by additional superintendent of police Anjana Tiwari, has divided into sub-groups examining the manufacturing process in Tamil Nadu, the distribution network in Madhya Pradesh, and forensic analysis. Investigators are reviewing machinery logs and batch production records to identify irregularities.

Officials indicated additional arrests are likely as the investigation expands to include quality control personnel, raw material suppliers, and logistics handlers. Three children remain in critical condition at hospitals in Nagpur, under round-the-clock monitoring by medical teams and state health officials.