Cough Syrup Deaths: Doctor Earned 10% Commission Per Coldrif Prescription

Last Updated:October 14, 2025, 11:51 IST

Police are probing if Dr. Praveen Soni's family was involved, as a nearby medical store is registered under relatives’ names and the syrup stockist is also a family member

The complaint stated that Coldrif Syrup was given to children under five years old for common cough and cold. (Representative/News18 Hindi)

The cough syrup scandal linked to children’s deaths in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh has unveiled a large medical mafia network. Police have informed the court that Dr Praveen Soni, who has been arrested, received a 10% commission from the company to prescribe the now banned adulterated Coldrif Syrup to children. This syrup has led to the deaths of 15 children so far.

According to reports, Dr Soni received the commission from Tamil Nadu-based pharma company Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, which produced the contaminated syrup containing deadly Diethylene Glycol (DEG). This chemical is responsible for urine retention, kidney failure, and eventually the deaths of the children.

On Monday, the Tamil Nadu government revoked the company’s licence and ordered the immediate closure of the factory. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has raided locations associated with the company.

Bail Plea Rejected, Serious Remarks In Court

The case was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Gautam Kumar Gujar (Parasia Court). On October 8, the court rejected Dr Soni’s bail plea, stating that he knowingly administered dangerous, adulterated medicine to children, despite the government banning Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs for children under 4 years old in December 2023.

What Did The Police Report State

According to the police report submitted to the court, on December 18, 2023, the Directorate General of Health Services of the central government directed all states not to administer FDC drugs to children under 4 years old.

Despite this, Dr Soni continued to prescribe Coldrif Syrup, resulting in the deaths of 15 children under his care. The police claimed that Dr Soni received a 10% commission on every syrup prescription.

Police are also investigating whether Dr Soni’s family members were involved in this business. It is reported that a medical store near his clinic is registered under his relatives’ names, and the syrup stockist is also a family member.

A senior police officer said, “We are questioning the stockists, wholesalers, and company owner Ranganathan of Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The SIT team has taken them to Tamil Nadu."

How Was The Scandal Uncovered

On October 4, Parasia Block Medical Officer Dr Ankit Sehlam filed an FIR. The complaint stated that Coldrif Syrup was given to children under five years old for common cough and cold, after which they showed symptoms like difficulty in urination, kidney failure, and increased creatinine-urea levels in the blood. Several children died during treatment in Nagpur in September-October.

Dr Soni’s lawyer, Pawan Kumar Shukla, argued in court that his client did not knowingly administer any harmful medicine, and the responsibility for the quality of the medicine lies with the Drug Controller Department.

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