Pharma Company Owner Arrested in Connection with 20+ Child Deaths Linked to Contaminated Cough Syrup
In a shocking development that has sparked outrage across the country, the owner of a pharmaceutical company has been arrested after the deaths of over 20 children allegedly due to the consumption of contaminated cough syrup. The tragic incident that unfolded in Ramnagar district of Uttar Pradesh has once again raised serious questions on drug safety standards, regulatory oversight and accountability of India’s pharmaceutical industry.
According to police and health officials, the cough syrup – which is marketed under the name “ColdRelief” – was manufactured by Sai Pharma Laboratories, a small-scale drug manufacturer based in Noida. Initial laboratory tests confirmed that the syrup contained dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) – toxic industrial chemicals that can cause kidney failure and death, especially in children.
The company owner, Rajesh Kumar (45), was taken into custody late Thursday evening as preliminary investigations linked his company to the batch of contaminated drugs that led to the deaths. Police have registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act related to culpable homicide, negligence and adulteration of medicines.
Tragic event
The crisis came to light two weeks ago when several children in Ramnagar and surrounding districts started showing symptoms like vomiting, stomach ache, seizures and difficulty in breathing after being given cough syrup. Local doctors initially suspected viral infection, but as more cases were reported, health officials became suspicious.
Within a span of ten days, over 20 children — all aged between 2 and 7 years — lost their lives, and dozens more were hospitalized. Parents recounted the horror of watching their children’s health deteriorate rapidly despite receiving medical attention.
A grieving mother, Rekha Devi, said,
“My son had a mild cough, and the doctor prescribed the syrup. Within two days, he couldn’t breathe properly and became unconscious. We never imagined a medicine could take his life.”
As reports of similar cases surfaced across multiple districts, state authorities ordered an immediate investigation into the source of the syrup.
Investigation and Forensic Findings
A joint investigation team comprising officials from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Uttar Pradesh Drug Control Department and the state health ministry launched a raid at Sai Pharma’s production facility in Noida. During the inspection, officials reportedly found serious lapses in quality control, improper documentation and unhygienic manufacturing conditions.
Samples of the syrup were sent to a government laboratory in Lucknow for testing. The results revealed high concentrations of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) – toxic chemicals that are often used as solvents in industrial applications such as antifreeze and brake fluids. These substances, when swallowed, can cause severe damage to the kidneys and liver, leading to metabolic failure and death.
Confirming the findings, a senior drug control official said,
“Laboratory reports indicate the presence of toxic compounds in the syrup. These are substances that have no place in medicines. This is a clear case of gross negligence and violation of manufacturing norms.”
Following the report, the state government immediately suspended Sai Pharma’s manufacturing license and sealed its production plant.
Arrest and Legal Action
Acting on the findings, the Noida Police arrested Rajesh Kumar, the company’s owner and managing director. He has been booked under multiple sections of the IPC, including Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 274 (adulteration of drugs), and Section 276 (sale of harmful drugs).
Police sources revealed that Kumar had allegedly ignored multiple warnings from the state drug authorities regarding poor quality standards. Officials also suspect that the company may have procured low-cost, substandard raw materials from unverified suppliers to cut costs.
“Rajesh Kumar was aware of the violations but continued production for profit,” said Superintendent of Police Ankit Tiwari. “We are also investigating the role of other company officials and suppliers involved in the supply chain.”
The accused has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days while the investigation continues. Authorities are also examining whether the contaminated syrup was distributed to other states.
Government and Public Response
The tragedy has triggered widespread public anger and renewed debate over the safety of pharmaceutical manufacturing in India, one of the world’s largest producers of generic drugs.
The Union Health Ministry has ordered an all-India inspection drive targeting small and medium-scale drug manufacturers to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Officials have been instructed to verify raw material sources, check labeling practices, and ensure that proper testing protocols are followed before medicines reach the market.
Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and assured strict action.
“We will not tolerate negligence that endangers lives. The government is committed to ensuring the highest safety standards in medicine production,” he stated.
Internationally, this incident has drawn attention from regulatory authorities, especially after similar cases in the past involving contaminated syrups exported from India.
A Pattern of Recurring Tragedies
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that India has faced such a crisis. Over the past few years, several similar incidents have been reported both in India and abroad.
In 2022, contaminated cough syrup manufactured by Indian companies was linked to the deaths of children in Gambia and Uzbekistan, leading to an international recall of the drug and a global outcry over quality control failures. These incidents have tarnished the reputation of India’s pharmaceutical sector, which otherwise plays a vital role in supplying affordable medicines across the world.
Public health experts have stressed the need for strict enforcement, modern testing infrastructure and accountability mechanisms for pharmaceutical companies.
Conclusion
The arrest of Sai Pharma’s owner is an important step towards accountability, but for the bereaved families, justice cannot compensate for the loss. This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence in drug manufacturing and the urgent need to improve regulatory oversight.
As India is emerging as a global pharmaceutical hub, ensuring drug safety should be a top priority. The government’s swift action in this matter is a start, but experts have warned that systemic changes, from raw material sourcing to final quality checks, are necessary to prevent such tragedies from repeating.
For now, the families of the victims are waiting for justice, hoping that their children’s deaths will lead to stronger safeguards that will prevent others from a similar fate.
