A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consuming toxic cough syrup.
The petition, filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, has demanded a court-monitored investigation and the formation of a National Judicial Commission or Expert Committee, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to examine lapses in the manufacture, regulation, testing, and distribution of contaminated cough syrups.
The PIL seeks the constitution of a National Judicial Commission or Expert Committee comprising experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and drug regulation, under the leadership of a retired Supreme Court judge.
The proposed body, the plea states, should conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the manufacturing and regulatory failures that allowed the circulation of cough syrups containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG) — toxic compounds that have previously caused multiple fatalities in India and abroad.
The petition stressed that a judicially monitored probe is essential to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies arising from substandard medicines.
Demand For CBI Investigation & Centralised Action
Advocate Tiwari urged the apex court to direct that all FIRs and investigations related to the deaths of children from poisonous cough syrups be transferred to the CBI, to ensure a coordinated and impartial probe under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge.
He noted that state-level inquiries have been fragmented and ineffective, leading to recurring incidents of toxic formulations entering the market without proper checks.
According to the reports cited in the petition, several children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died after consuming Coldrif Cough Syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharma Pvt. Ltd., a Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceutical company.
The PIL sought the court’s immediate intervention to recall, seize, and ban the sale of all batches of Coldrif Cough Syrup and other formulations produced by the company until independent toxicological testing by NABL-accredited laboratories confirms their safety.
Nationwide Testing & Accountability Sought
The plea further requested directions to the Union Government to conduct mandatory nationwide testing of all syrup-based pharmaceutical products for the presence of DEG and EG, and to publicly release the findings to ensure transparency and public trust.
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