Supreme Court Rejects PIL Seeking CBI Investigation Into Deaths Of Children Due To Cough Syrups

The Supreme Court on Friday (October 10) dismissed a PIL seeking an investigation by the CBI into the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to contaminated cough syrups.The bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran dismissed the PIL filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta opposed the petition, saying that the States are competent to investigate the matter and they are taking action. SG further said that the petitioner was in the habit of filing PILs only on the basis of newspaper reports."How many PILs have you filed?" CJI asked. Tiwari replied, "Eight or nine."The bench then proceeded to dismiss the petition.The PIL was filed following the recent spate of child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan caused by the consumption of toxic cough syrupsThe petition, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, calls for the constitution of a National Judicial Commission or Expert Committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the manufacture, testing, and distribution of contaminated cough syrups containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG), the same toxic compounds that have previously caused fatalities.The PIL also seeks a direction to transfer all pending FIRs and investigations related to the child deaths due to poisonous cough syrups in various states to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), under the supervision of a former Supreme Court judge, to ensure an impartial, coordinated probe. It argues that multiple state-level inquiries have resulted in fragmented accountability, allowing recurring instances of toxic formulations to reach consumers.The PIL also seeks to direct authorities to “immediately recall, seize, and prohibit the sale and distribution” of all batches of Coldrif Cough Syrup and any other products manufactured by Sresan Pharma Pvt. Ltd. or its related companies. The petitioner has sought that these products be subjected to toxicological testing and verification by NABL-accredited laboratories before any further sale or export is permitted.Case Details : VISHAL TIWARI Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS| W.P.(C) No. 971/2025 Click Here To Read/Download Order

Supreme Court Rejects PIL Seeking CBI Investigation Into Deaths Of Children Due To Cough Syrups

Anmol Kaur Bawa

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