Cough Syrup Deaths : MP Court Denies Bail To Doctor Who Prescribed Medicine To Children

The Chhindwara Court has dismissed the bail application of a pediatrician, who was accused of knowingly prescribing Coldrif Sough syrup to children under the age of 5, who, as a result, developed kidney problems and died. Additional Sessions Judge Gautam Kumar Gujre observed that "मामले में संकंलित साक्ष्य से अभियुक्त के विरुद्ध आक्षेपित अपराध के दृढ़ आधार प्रकट है। आवेदक/अभियुक्त के विरुद्ध प्रथम सूचना रिपोर्ट के अनुसार अन्य व्यक्तियों के द्वारा ख़तरनाक मिलावटी दवा जिससे किसी बच्चे की मृत्यु हो सकती है यह जानते हुए ऐसी दवा बनाना तथा अल्प आयु के बच्चों को दिया जाना प्रथम दृष्टया पाया गया है तथा घटना की जानकारी होने के उपरांत भी संबंधित प्रिस्क्रिप्शन की दवा दिया जाना भी प्रकट किया गया है।" "The evidence collected in the case discloses strong grounds for the offence alleged against the accused. As per the First Information Report against the applicant/accused, it has been prima facie found that other persons manufactured dangerous adulterated medicine which could cause death of a child and administered it to minor children with the knowledge of the same and also that the concerned prescription medicine was administered even after being aware of the incident". Per the FIR, on April 4, 2025, a doctor filed an application before the Pasarsiya Police State regarding the death of children due to an allegedly toxic, adulterated substance, Diethylene Glycol, in a cough syrup. It was claimed that children below the age of 5 years were complaining of common cold, cough and fever. Most of the people were administered by Dr Praveen Soni, a paediatrician, who administered the cough syrup and other medicines to the children. Later, about 10 children were treated by the applicant doctor with Coldrif cough syrup and complained of kidney-related issues. They were then referred to another doctor, but unfortunately, all of them passed away. It was claimed that most of the children were treated by Dr Praveen Soni with Coldrif Syrup, which led to urinary retention and acute kidney disorder. It was claimed that a total of 15 children had died. Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Srisan Pharmaceuticals, contained the banned substance Diethylene Glycol. It was claimed that Dr Soni, along with the others, was responsible for knowingly manufacturing such a dangerous adulterated medicine and thereafter administering the same to children. Dr Soni was therefore charged with knowingly selling a drug as a different one (Section 276 of IPC) and for illegally manufacturing, selling or distributing cosmetics (Section 27 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940). Counsel for the applicant contended that the accused was falsely implicated. It was asserted that the company mixed a substandard substance into a particular batch of medicines, of which the Applicant was unaware. Per a report from the Parasiya police station, the Directorate General of Health Services issued guidelines to all state and union territories on December 18, 2023, directing that children under the age of 4 should not be given fixed-dose combinations (FDC). Despite this, the police claimed, the applicant doctor administered this dangerous cough syrup to children. It was further claimed that the applicant doctor received a commission of 10 per cent for [rescribing this coldrif syrup as medicine. It was also claimed that his relatives, located next to his private clinic, operated a medical shop that had a dangerous stock of coldrif syrup. The court noted that the evidence collected revealed 'strong grounds' for the alleged offence against the applicant doctor. It has been found 'prima facie' that the concerned prescription of medicine was given even after knowledge of the incident and despite guidelines issued in this regard. "प्रकरण में विवेचना की कार्यवाही अपूर्ण है, अभियुक्त के विरुद्ध आक्षेपित अपराध गंभीर प्रकृति का है। यदि अभियुक्त को जमानत का लाभ दिया जाता है तो उसके द्वारा अभियोजन साक्षियों की प्रभावित करने की संभावना से इंकार नहीं किया जा सकता है।""The investigation proceedings in the case are incomplete, the offence alleged against the accused is of a serious nature. If the accused is granted the benefit of bail, the possibility of him influencing the prosecution witnesses cannot be ruled out". Case Title: Dr Praveen Soni v State [BA No.: 99/2025]Click here to read/download Order

Cough Syrup Deaths : MP Court Denies Bail To Doctor Who Prescribed Medicine To Children

Jayanti Pahwa

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