The issue arose after Coldrif cough syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals was linked to the deaths of children.
Published Oct 13, 2025 | 4:17 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 13, 2025 | 4:49 PM
The probe is also looking into the failure of drug inspectors to perform mandatory inspections at Sresan Pharma’s facilities over the past two years.
Synopsis: The ED raided Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Chennai, probing links to child deaths from toxic Coldrif cough syrup containing diethylene glycol. The investigation targets financial irregularities and regulatory lapses, with searches at the owner’s residence and Tamil Nadu Drug Control officials’ properties. The company’s license is suspended, and its owner, G Ranganathan, is in custody as authorities halt contaminated syrup distribution.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated probe into Sresan Pharmaceuticals – manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup – and held raids at seven locations in Chennai, following its alleged link to the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The ED conducted coordinated raids at the residence of G Ranganathan, the company’s owner, in Kodambakkam, and properties associated with senior officials of the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department.
These actions are part of a broader probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to examine potential financial irregularities and regulatory lapses.
The raids targeted properties connected to Sresan Pharmaceuticals and its key employees. The agency also conducted searches at the residences and offices of Director Deepa Joseph and Joint Director K Karthikeyan of the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department.
Both officials have been suspended pending an internal inquiry over alleged negligence and potential corruption in the approval of manufacturing licenses for Sresan Pharma.
ED sources confirmed that the investigation is examining whether there were any financial transactions or illicit dealings between the company and the suspended officials.
The probe is also looking into the failure of drug inspectors to perform mandatory inspections at Sresan Pharma’s facilities over the past two years.
According to officials, the premises searched include residences of top officials from the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Office. The ED is scrutinising financial records and other evidence as part of their ongoing investigation into the company’s operations and regulatory oversight.
The issue arose after Coldrif cough syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals was linked to the deaths of children. Laboratory tests revealed that the syrup contained dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic substance.
The findings prompted the Tamil Nadu drug control authorities to inspect the company’s facilities, which confirmed multiple violations of hygiene and manufacturing standards.
As a result, the state suspended the manufacturing licence of Sresan Pharmaceuticals and froze its facility in Sunguvarchatram, Kanchipuram, halting production to prevent further harm.
Later on 9 October, 2025, the Madhya Pradesh SIT arrested G Ranganathan, the owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, in Chennai, along with two other staff members of the company. He was subsequently brought to Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, and placed in 10-day police custody by a local court as part of the ongoing investigation into the Coldrif cough syrup tragedy.
Authorities also alerted the governments of Odisha and Puducherry, where the syrup had been distributed, to ensure that the contaminated batches were removed from circulation and prevent further tragedies.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
